rckdr

My original idea was to stitch the seams after gluing and then soak in water to remove the glue completely. The glue is only temporary. Also, I don't think Admiralty Models uses linen in their technique. I believe that linen is the most archival fiber available to us including synthetics.

Do as you oughta. Always add acid to wata.

My main thought was that this is a finely woven linen cloth. It will take some ingenuity to figure out how to turn it into sails.

For some reason the link did not print fully but go to lightimpressionsdirect.com and search for "linen tape"

While daydreaming some time ago I thought of a possible technique for making sails.  One of the most archival fibers around is linen, but it is difficult to find linen cloth in a fine tight weave.  A company called Light Impressions makes an acid free finely woven linen tape with a water soluble adhesive backing.  The link is:  http://www.lightimpressionsdirect.com/acid-free-linen-tape-white-1-x-20yds/archival-adhesive-tapes/ .

I think it might be possible to cut the tape into strips to match the panels on the real sail and then glue the panels together by the edges using the adhesive backing.  The panels could then be stitched together and the bolt ropes and other details added.  Finally the sail would be soaked in water to remove the adhesive backing, the panels now being held together by the stitching.

I am not planning on building any models with sails in the near future but perhaps someone who is could try this technique and let all of us know if it works.

I use acrylic varnish.  This is sold in art supply stores.  It is used to coat and protect artwork and is therefore very clear and has archival qualities.  It has similar composition to white glue, and therefore white and yellow carpenter glues will adhere to it with the same strength as to bare wood (since it soaks into the wood better, it is actually similar to "double gluing").  Two brands that I use are Windsor and Newton Acrylic Matt Varnish and J.W. etc.'s  Right Step Water Base Clear Varnish.