Why fabric ?

[NARSES2]

While perusing my choice of finish for my Ki 87-I something struck me. I must admit it's been hovering around in the back of my brain for a while and I finally decided to ask.

Before, during and after WWII why did some aircraft which were of otherwise total metal construction have fabric covered ailerons and sometimes rudders ? Was it purely a weigh saving measure ? Or am I missing something ?

Chris

[kitnut617]

Probably a 'throw-back' from how aircraft were finished, also it kept a lot of people involved with the war effort. Also the aerodynamic problems arising from fabric covering didn't really surface until aircraft started flying a lot faster (over 300 mph). Look at the first Hurricanes, covered almost completely in fabric until it was discovered that a metal finish had the aircraft going nearly 80 mph faster than a fabric covered one.

[sandiego89]

Think it mostly for weight savings, not just the weight of the control surface, but also the lighter counterbalance weights and associated cables and pulleys etc. . So every ounce saved also saved on counterbalances etc.

[jcf]

Lighter and easier to balance, also simpler, and faster, to repair and rebalance.

[NARSES2]

Thanks gents. 

I wasn't aware about the balancing issues. Cheers