Rebuilding my old Megamid

[Moondog55]

I thought I'd already started a thread on this but I can't find it.
I know it's old and really reached the end of its useful LW life but the rip in the panel is actually quite small and at the top where I think a vent should be anyway.
Photos follow when I get all my gear home
I was reasonably impressed with the MSR Twin Brothers group tarp shelter being used by the army adventure training group and that looks just like a Megamid with a central panel added.
My thought is this:-
Unpick along the seams and divide the 'mid into two halves
Repair the rip by adding in a section of mesh with a shallow hood over it, Sew a length of silnylon [using the full width as it arrives from Simon] along each half and retape/restitch, adding pull-out points and peg points as needed. Are there any major weaknesses in joining the two different fabrics together?
Does the central ridge need a double or triple layer or tape reinforcement or is the fabric on its own strong enough?
I didn't get a close look at the ridge of the Twin Brothers and web pictures don't show that detail as far as I can find anyway.
Any job that seems really simple often has hidden pitfalls. what are they on this one?
Obviously I could add a second zipper along one side seam at the opposite end to the existing entrance but as the main tent is old I don't want to do that unless I can find a suitable zipper free and a second entry point is probably not really needed anyway
As always looking forward to the critique and ideas from you all
If the consensus is good I'll ask Simon to hold me enough of his cheap LW fabric until I sell enough gear to pay my forum debts and him
MD55

[Orion]

It's too bad I don't live near you. I'd just give you my old Megamid. It's in fine conditions, just old. It has that "old tent smell" but it's solid otherwise. I just never use it. I'd hand it you for free and thank you for helping me clean out my closet... if you were nearby.

Good luck with the repair!

[Moondog55]

Happy to pay postage Orion, just to "Help you out"
Out of interest what colour is yours? Mine is the burgundy and gray and my first one was blue and yellow and made a totally different way

[Orion]

Mine is burgandy/gray.

Postage.... well, maybe. I just looked at the US Postal website and it looks like it would cost about $40 USD to ship. That's kind of expensive for a stinky old tent, don't you think?

[Moondog55]

Yep. Donate it to a local charity or follow my progress then sell it?

[Moondog55]

PM incoming Orion
Where in the USA are you?
Cecile is visiting family for Thanksgiving

[Orion]

I live in California.

edit:

Wow, someone is bidding $100 on eBay for an old Megamid that's "a little sticky"!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Black-D ... 19f42c628b

Looks like mine except for the rain zipper cover.

[Moondog55]

I need some cheapish waterproof nylon to attempt this do-over Would anybody know of a source as Spotlights nylon at the moment isn't coated [ although I could silicon after sewing] Simons silnylon is a little too expensive for a workover that may not work, I need 8+ linear meters