Yolev - Not planing on creating flying models (thought that would be cool.) Weight is really only an issue for handling, and perhaps for mounting (hanging.) I'm imagining modles measured in feet, not inches - kind of like Kev's thinking (okay, maybe only one foot, or a few feet for me...)
Vacu-form is out of the question - don't have one, not much budget, and no place for one right now. Heck, I don't even have an airbrush! I've been out of modeling for about 16 years, and have really only been reading FSM, buying kits, and dreaming...
I'll be doing some small kits while I plan things. Mostly some small scale armour, and maybe some aircraft. I also want to do a few figures. But, I want to start wrapping my mind around what is needed to create the airship, and looking for thoughts and ideas on the subject in general.
Since I have no experience with balsa, I'll probably stick with styrene rod. I was thinking of styrene sheets for the covering, but was wondering on other ideas. Tissue seems like a bad idea for me - I probably couldn't handle it without creating a mess and still not have a cover for an airship. Foil would probably be difficult also, for wrinklles and such. Still like the idea of wax paper - if I can figure out how to use it correctly. But, thin styrene sheets might be best, and easiest.
What is rag paper like Stratmore's Graphic 360? Sounds like artists' supplies.
Cor
There are two ways out of this: I'm one of them. The other is much worse.