Excellent wing ribbing with a different method.

[Balsabasher]

Here is an alternative method to making the ribbing on the wings of models in particular those on WW1 biplanes etc,the advantages are that it is in fact easier to do this than add the fiddly ribbing with paper strips the normal method used.
Firstly mark out the spacing of the ribs having already added a coat of sanding sealer or similar to the wood,next take some masking tape and lay enough on a piece of glass or perspex/acrylic sheet to do the wing,cut the masking tape with a sharp blade the width between the rib allowing for the width of the rib itself,what we will be doing is adding the masking to allow a build up of correction fluid to simulate the ribbing through the small gap,correction fluid dries quickly and allows further coats to increase the prominance of the ribbing to choice,it dries out smooth and flows well.
Once masked up take the correction fluid ( brush type is best ) and apply between the masking,allow it to flow freely,allow to dry and apply other coats as required,once you are happy,remove all of the masking to reveal the heightened ribs.
Next stage is to cover the wing top and bottom with tissue paper,make sure this is the wet strengthened variety,lay onto the wing and with a loaded brush apply water all over the surface,then apply clear dope or thinned PVA adhesive it will go milky white,do not worry as subsequent coats will dry clear,pin or weight the wing down to avoid warpage,once done repeat the operation on the underside pinning down again and allow to dry,to trim the tissue take a sanding block and rub against the tissue gently,the surplus will simply fall away,rub dope into the edges and neatly finish the edges.
Do not be in a hurry to release from the board,allow to cure properly and place a piece of polythene sheet underneath the wing to stop it sticking.
Barry.