• Description: Iron-On Plastic Covering
• Width: 31 in (78.7 cm)
• Lenght: 78.75 in or 196.85 (2 M or 5 M) roll
• Weight: 2.3 oz/sq yd (80 g/sq m)

OzCover was reviewed for RCOnline when it was first introduced into the United States. It was found to be one of the best coverings ever used. Had it not been for the cost, it would have replaced all other coverings. When RhinoCover was introduced, the chance to review it was taken with enthusiasm. The small fun-fly plane that had just been framed was perfect for testing the new covering.

RhinoCover is not like any of the familiar mylar type coverings; MonoKote, Ultracote, Towercote, etc. that have a backing and usually have some kind of colored adhesive. Standard "kote" coverings are also susceptible to static and cling to everything. RhinoCover has no backing, no associated static and is a full 1 meter by 2 meters in size. It is priced at about the same price per square foot as more traditional coverings.

It can be cut much closer to size and laid out over the part to be covered easier. When covering the wing of the subject plane, a margin of about 3/8" was left in all directions. Using moderate heat, the corners of the covering were tacked down. The centers of the leading and trailing edges were then tacked and small sections after that until the entire outside edge of the cover was tacked down. Where small wrinkles were left, heat was applied, the covering was pulled loosed and tacked again. After the periphery was tacked down, the heat setting was turned all the way up and the edges were sealed. Finally, a heat gun was used to shrink the open area. The process used is basically the same as that used on 'kote' coverings. To cover over curves like wing tips, a lot of heat is applied to the covering and it will stretch around corners and shrink wrinkles better than anything ever used.

Since the test plane was being built for fun-fly events and other aggressive flying activities, there was no concerned with a super finish so several methods of trimming were tried on the RhinoCover. Trim markings were cut from both Monokote and Ultracote scraps and they stuck to the RhinoCover perfectly with no bubbles. Various paint trims were also tried. An area was marked off, scuffed with fine steel wool, and wiped with thinner. This area was painted and left to dry for 24 hours. Dope does not stick very well but enamels and polyurethane paints do. The enamel that was used was not fuel proof and was easily removed with a small amount of raw fuel. The dope was fuel proof but wore off easily. The polyurethane was a thin, brush-on paint and worked very well. It looked like a metallic over the pearl white Rhino Cover. The best result was with spray-on appliance epoxy paint. It stuck and nothing would take it off.

RhinoCover proved to be very durable and stood up to several mishaps, forced landings into the rough, etc. The SuperJoy Stick that was covered with the RhinoCover was used for for testing too much power, and combat, and fun-flys. It was also used to practice low level rolls and snaps. The fuselage had to be rebuilt twice but the wing never had a problem. The limbo pole at a fun-sly event was hit with just the tip of the wing and the covering kept the wing together. The wing is probably being held together by the RhinoCover at this point. Tall weeds, and high speed inverted landings were not able to puncture the covering. Any dings or dents were quickly and easily removed with the heat gun. All in all, for an everyday flyer that took way too much abuse the covering held up exceptionally well, and much better than earlier versions of the same plane with other coverings. RhinoCover is a superior covering material to the traditional iron on coverings more readily available and is worth finding.