November 12, 2017 at 4:48 pm
Does anyone know what this is called and if it is available to buy? Thanks in advance.
By: Whitley_Project - 13th November 2017 at 09:32
Thank you everyone for your replies. It doesn’t have to be period, just similar and do the same job. Thanks!
By: FarlamAirframes - 13th November 2017 at 08:10
Most modern balloon fabric is a mix of polyurethanes on the lower section and silicone on the section directly above the burner. Neither of which are period.
I used to work with two coaters in the UK who prepared coated fabrics by knife coating polymers onto fabric and curing in a continuous oven – a lot of other parts came from far east. I would have thought an aluminium pigmented coating on a polyester or rip stop nylon would be available off the shelf . It depends how authentic you want it to be.
By: jeepman - 12th November 2017 at 23:45
I guess Parachute training balloons are the modern day successor to Barrage Balloons. I would think any wartime rubber is pretty perished or rock hard by now. I recently had to restore some webbing strapping on a 19 set radio wooden carrier which had been doubled by sticking two layers together with a rubber solution glue. It was an absolute nightmare…..
The rubber parts on 19 set control box drop leads, microphones and earphones are also challenging. They say oil of wintergreen helps but I’ve not used it yet
By: J Boyle - 12th November 2017 at 23:27
Just be be clear…you’re looking for the old-style material and not the newer silver sun-shield stuff they make canopy covers from?
If so, try here:
http://kennoncovers.com
By: Whitley_Project - 12th November 2017 at 23:18
Thanks for the suggestions. Now, does anyone know where to get barrage balloon material? :confused:
By: John Green - 12th November 2017 at 19:09
Beat me to it ! I would have suggested the same.
By: Mark12 - 12th November 2017 at 17:44
I wonder if it is the same basic material that they made barrage balloons from.
Mark