Modeling Tutorial - How to Make Louvers From Lightweight Cardstock

Visual tutorial on how to make light weight louvers for model aircraft using simple, inexpensive products. Process was shown to me many years ago by mentor and FAC Founder Dave Stott. Inexpensive "precision probe with straight tip" tool can be found on Amazon. Music via motion array.com.
The Process:
If not for the ideas of a few, brainstorming friends, I would still be staring at these darned louvers. Suggestions ranged from taking a photo of the real thing and gluing it in place, to simply choosing a model without louvers!! But Dave Stott came to the rescue with a brilliant approach, which I will do my best to outline.
First, you must locate the perfect card stock. I was going to use regular file folders, but they proved to be too thick and soft. Then one morning while paying the bills, I noticed the card stock on the back of the check book. .008" thick and firm. Perfect. Colored like balsa, too. Small victories.
After drawing the outline of the cowl plate and the location of each louver, make a pin hole at the ends of each louver. This helps resist tearing of the card stock. Next, using a straight edge and X-Acto, connect the pin holes of each louver with a slit, then tape the card onto a thick piece of glass or Formica. This will allow a secure and smooth back and forth action as you create the louvers.
Now to the fun part. Using a straight probe or scribe (I filed down a dentist's tool), insert the point through the slit, after first placing a straight edge at the desired width of the louver, parallel to the slit. This limits the distance the scriber will penetrate. Firmly holding the ruler in place, gently slide the probe back and forth a few times in the slot to form the louver. This stretches or embosses the card stock. Repeat this process, working right to left.
As a final touch-up to help form the shape, place the straight edge along the top of the louvers, right along the line of pin holes. Then slide the scriber into each louver and force it up to the ruler. This gives the louver a perfectly formed top edge. Do the same on the bottom edge. Now your louvers have more punch or lift, and can even cast shadows in the late day sun!
Finally, coat the back of each louver with thin CA, in a well ventilated area. This really firms up the line-o-louvers, making them tough enough to stand up to handling of the model over the course of a few seasons of flying.
Geneseo FAC Nats Journals from 2016 & 2018: www.maxfliart.com
For more info on free-flight rubber-powered models, check these websites:
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www.easybuiltmo...
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www.flyingacesc...
National Free Flight Society - freeflight.org/
Mike Stuart's Flying Scale Models - www.ffscale.co.uk/
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