: . . . go to any fabric store, grab a synthetic fabric (there are all colors
: and thicknesses) and use that, you can find lots on clearance or end rolls.

Look especially for Dacron. Look for end-of-bolt remnants at a discount, but it will be worth paying full price for a yard or two of lightweight material, and probably this will be cheaper than what you'd buy at a hobby shop. Before you go fabric shopping go over the Geodesic Airolight website. www.gaboats.com/ The FAQ page on materials is at: http://www.gaboats.com/construction/materials.html

Platt Monfort made quite a few designs which are covered with heat-shrinkable Dacron which is bonded to the frame with a heat-activated bonding material (HEATnBOND)used with fabrics. You can buy some of this at the fabric store, too. Heat it up to apply the fabric, heat the fabric to shrink it tight, reheat the joints to loosen the bond when removing the fabric. Do all your work with a clothes iron.

The window-covering plastic films are frequently on sale, and would be very inexpensive. For a 1/4 scale model you might even use Saran Wrap, available at any grocery store. This brand seem to be "stickier" than others and clings well to itself. Stretch it on tightly, wrapping it in a helical fashion, from bow to stern. Put on a second layer with the helix running in the other direction. You get a few wrinkles and you won;t reuse this stuff, but it is fast to apply for a test, and very available.

Hope this helps

PGJ