Hi All.

I have recently ordered one of each 50"x36" sized sheets of Spectra ballistic grade 1000 sheet and Spectra/Carbon Fibre hybrid sheet to carry out some testing with to see how practical it will be in my airship project.

Now my intention is to hopefully be able to use the Spectra as the outer shell of the airship that will go over the rigid framework, however although it will be suitable when not infused with resin I would like to be able to infuse it to create a more solid and smoother outer shell at least for the gondola. There are a number of reasons for wanting to do this; a smooth outer surface would significantly reduce any drag on the airship as it moves through the air because of its large surface area, also there will always be the ever present risk that someone may want to take a pot-shot at it with something like an air rifle for example (this has happened on an earlier test balloon) so the Spectra would be more than enough to protect the internal gas bag and components.

So I would like to ask if anyone has had any hands-on practical experience either infusing Spectra with resin and even attempting to laminate more than one sheet of it together ? Also I should note that because of it final use it will still need to be a UV stable end product so the use of vinylester and polyester resins will probably be essential unless anyone can point out anything different ?

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated, and any trials carried out will be videoed or photographed and posted on here for all to see if they too are interested.

Jim

Jim i was thinking more along the lines of sail makers 

Using scrim could be a way forward to strengthening the Spectra and creating the outer shell to the airship, another method I have been thinking of is using carbon fibre tow and weaving a netting mesh by hand and treating that with resin and pressing the Spectra onto it over a shaped form. This would reduce the need for so much resin and maintain the lightness I am looking for and at the same time support the Spectra to maintain the curvature of the sphere in all directions.

I love you two guys' sense of humor, and your methods for dealing with chavs. An airship that can defend itself would be a real asset, and as a signal relay station transmitting its images as live feed to boots on the ground would allow for a more direct approach to a hostile take down !!! ... lol.


Jim