Question about WWII L-4 Grasshopper fabric recovering

[Quest Master]

I am about to dive into WWII aircraft fabric recovering, something I've always wanted to learn. I have a non-airworthy Piper L-4 rudder I am going to practice on (for display only). Looking at restoration photos...does the rudder get lacing through the fabric? If it does, how far apart are each of the stitches?

[RyanShort1]

I am about to dive into WWII aircraft fabric recovering, something I've always wanted to learn. I have a non-airworthy Piper L-4 rudder I am going to practice on (for display only). Looking at restoration photos...does the rudder get lacing through the fabric? If it does, how far apart are each of the stitches?

https://pdfslide.net/documents/amach03- ... ngpdf.html

Shouldn't be hard to find a book, but you usually decide which system and fabric to use as there can be differences.

[Champ driver]

You could join this Cub Forum, I don't think there's any cost and ask your questions there.
https://www.j3-cub.com/

Here's some additional info.
https://www.piperflyer.org/maintenance- ... lanes.html

[Dan K]

Unless you've already done this, I'd suggest that one of the best ways to eliminate much of the guesswork is to connect with a local EAA chapter. One of the primary goals of chapters is to share aircraft construction and restoration experiences, so you'll be connecting with people that want you to succeed.

https://www.eaa.org/eaa/eaa-chapters/fi ... aa-chapter

[shrike]

Download a copy of AC43-13
https://www.faa.gov/documentlibrary/med ... w-chg1.pdf

It's the FAA's "acceptable practices" guide, drawn for the most part from WWII vintage manuals and such.

[bdk]

Either the factory drawings or the more generic AC43-13 instructions. Make sure you use the correct glues and dopes for the covering system you are using. There are also STC processes like Stits you can use as well as some water-based solutions.