playmobil fabrics

[playmofire]

Talking about cloth/fabric can be confusing when it is called by different names in different countries.  In the US, the cloth that is used for the ships' sails is very similar to nonfusible Pellon® interfacing that is used to give stability to collars and cuffs of clothing.  In the US, it can be purchased in different weights and the cloth for the sails feels almost exactly like heavyweight Pellon®.

It is interfacing I have experimented with over here in the UK, although I don't think it had any brand name - I just bought interfacing off a roll.

[skypurr]

One type in the UK is called 'Vilene'
This is usually on a roll and can be either iron on or non-iron; this is usually thicker, but both kinds can be bought in different weights. 
It usually comes in black (more dark grey really) or white.
(Before the boys were born and I had time I used to make some of my own clothes! )
This material is very much like that used for the schooner and corsair sails and I always thought it was the same for the tent/stall awning pieces, although looking at my circus horse tent, the back of that does feel a bit more rubbery.

Elaine

[Giorginetto]

The very first pirate ship i bought in 1983 or something had the  best sails, they are still as good as knew and though they might not have any imprints or colour , they look and feel very realisitc . The best !!!!!!!!!!!!

[playmo1989]

all pirate ship sails are made from the same material - with 3 exceptions.
the material is something between cardboard, felt and rubber foam - no doubt a sinthetic formula  - and they have no visible threads.

the exceptions are the 3550 piratenschiff in all its versions where the material is a visible cloth (the threads are clearly visible) with some kind of impregnated reinforcement that gives it an extra stifness and a very slight superficial "shine".
in these sails the holes where the blocks are attached have extra white plastic flat rings glued on the fabric (i guess this is done to prevent the tearing of the fabric).

another exception is the 13570 antex argentinian set - a hybrid between the 3750 and the 3550 versions - that mounts the same fabric sails, just like the ones described above.

the final exception is the 4424 piratenkaperschiff with all its sails (both folded and unfolded) made from a hard plastic.
the result is - in my humble opinion - the worst ship playmobil ever made.

hans beck apparently thought that the 3750 was the best playmobil set ever made.
i tend to agree with him although the big 3940 sometimes takes its place in my heart. 

  all of these ships can be seen in the thread "all the pirate ships playmobil ever made", as playmofire suggests - http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=4639.msg60782#msg60782.
it's great to see that this thread can actually help in some matters. 

 
thank you cachalote for all these helpfull information .
 
really hans beck said 3750 is the best set? or 3550
 
i think that 5778 http://www.dunnstoyandhobby.com/v/vspfiles/photos/PLA5778-2.jpg
is a worst ship than 4424

[sbblabotw]

 
thank you cachalote for all these helpfull information .
 
really hans beck said 3750 is the best set? or 3550
 
i think that 5778 http://www.dunnstoyandhobby.com/v/vspfiles/photos/PLA5778-2.jpg
is a worst ship than 4424

They are identical, except for the sails and sail supports, and the colour. 5778 is the same shape as 3053/3750, too.

[playmo1989]

They are identical, except for the sails and sail supports, and the colour. 5778 is the same shape as 3053/3750, too.

yes i know that but every ship is different 3750 and 3550 are more common because they are the same colour. these other two 5778 and 4424 with totally different colours and sails are different even if the shape is the same