Wanted: One remote control plane buff that rolls his own. Crashes frequently a plus

I’m still hot on the trail for the source of the Czech nymph overbody material. I go quiescent periodically when I lose the scent, but like an old dog I’ll keep on the trail so long as I’ve got a reasonable scent trail.

Magic Shrimp Foil I’ve found the material, now I need to find out which brand it is …

12 microns thick, available in a blizzard of colors, and 18 square feet for about $14 – depending on the vendor and his sale schedule.

I knew I’d encountered this material before, but couldn’t remember where, until I remembered my brother repairing old Hobie balsa gliders – whose pilots were not yet proficient enough to hit the Twin Towers or the broad side of a barn – but were able to hit pavement at speeds never designed for balsa aircraft.

He had these bright orange sheets of heat shrink plastic that clad the balsa skeleton once the struts and wood had been pieced back together.

Ultracote - Mylar shrink film

It’s the exact thickness of Magic Shrimp Foil, has a dull side and a shiny side just as Shrimp Foil, but isn’t as stretchy. Hanger 9’s Ultracote is likely a mylar based product with little stretch – and the exact match is vinyl, which would complete the puzzle.

This material comes with a paper backing that clings via friction rather than adhesive. The backing allows you to use a paper cutter to cut nice thin strips without undue fuss, simply sneak into the mail room before everyone arrives at work and carve a lifetime supply.

It’s offered in metallic, transparent, and opaque colors – and appears to match many of the colors of Shrimp Foil, but lacks the opalescent tints.

I ordered a roll of Olive and a roll of transparent and they’re both useful for Czech shellbacks, but I’d rather not continue to shell out the cash in search of the specific brand – knowing that one of you may already be afflicted by this hobby or has a remote control plane shop in his neighborhood.

… or has a buddy heavy on the throttle and with hands of stone come the landing …

Tags: Czech nymph, fly tying materials, shellback, Hanger 9 Ultracote, RC aircraft covering, Magic Shrimp Foil, Hobie glider, balsa wood repair

15 thoughts on “Wanted: One remote control plane buff that rolls his own. Crashes frequently a plus”

  1. Spencer

    You never cease to amaze me KB. I’ve been getting on the czech train latetly, but have yet to pull the trigger on any magic foil because it’s just such a damn ripoff.

    I just need to find a cheaper source for this ultracote, or smaller packages. I’d like to get 2 or 3 colors, but $30-45 is pushing it.

    Good find!

    Spencer

  2. kbarton10

    Spencer,

    This is identical in every way save for the elasticity. As I’ve found about 30 vendors that make this stuff and about 10 different materials (including tissue paper and polypropylene) – we need to find some shop where we can finger the stuff.

    It’s too close to the original so it’s likely this is the source … just need the right vendor (composition) to claim victory.

    Split the purchase with pals.

    I can send you a square foot of the olive drab and transparent for you to play with in the meantime.

  3. Igneous Rock

    If your Czech nymph breaks a balsa wing…don’t come lookin for me! I know what you do with those things!

  6. Ray

    Mylar everything. Mylar wrapping paper is especially awesome for fly tying. It has just an ever-so-slight amount of stretch, and usually the inside is holographic silver (unlike the balloons which are straight reflective), the outside a color w/pattern. (the stuff I have is red)

    ‘Tis an industry of repackaging/marking up.

  10. John Peipon

    Yes, stay out of bluegill country…
    I do use these products, both the aero and fishy mylar. And, at the risk of being a product snob, I’ll keep the stuff separate. Aero is lots more unless you have scraps and mine are usually orange, or red and white. Ya need visibility to spot that glider when it’s almost outa sight or when your flying in a crowd!
    I haven’t been able to use up my $9.50s worth yet, either. I’ve been into the Czech nymph for about 3 years. I do go lots of those wonderful barb-less hooks, though!

  11. chad

    According to Steve Korbay at Flytying Specialties, the pearl magic shrimp foil is going to be discontinued by Siman. KB, Please let me know how your new substitute does compared to the MSF, because i am going to need a new source for the pearls as well.

  12. kbarton10

    I haven’t found pearl-anything yet. Just the transparent, metallic, and opaque colors. I can cut you some samples and put them in an envelope for you to fiddle with … just drop me an email with your mailing address.

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