Oratex is like Yoga Pants

[oldcropduster]

How did the handle on side of the fuselage work out without a backing plate? I'm concerned how that might work once I split the fabric.

[FlyerChief]

I didn't put a backing plate on the handle on Aerial 2 when I built it and there has been no issue with it so far. Add one tape with the handle slits up, then one with the slits down and you can get a pretty nice seal around the handle and still look good. On the rebuild of Aerial One, which I am currently doing, I added a small backing plate of .020 aluminum, but I'm not sure that it helped. Getting the angle just right is difficult since it ends up being kind of 3 dimensional and not as flat as it might seem. If it's not exactly right, the fabric glue tends to pull away at the edges as you iron the fabric down to it. Good luck with it, whichever way you choose to go!

[BDA]

Use backing plates every where. If in doubt, use a plate. They are a pain to make and extra time, but well worth it.