Blade tape woes
I remember as a Plane Captain (grubber lad), we used to fit the clear tape over the black "Dunlop" tape as a matter of course when the blades arrived from the blade bay. because the cabs spent so much time in the hover over the sea during the cold war years (when metal blades were standard fit), it was a time saver to do it from fit. The tape was checked as part of the AF inspection and any lifting areas were replaced before they came too loose.
The secret was to fit the clear tape over good smooth Dunlop tape before any pitting or erosion had occured, this ensured a clean contact area and any bubbles were removed using the little wooden roller. The Dunlop tape was glued to the metal spar with Scotchgrip glue which could be replaced at the camp blade bay (yes I worked there too!), the use of MEK was necessary to clean the blade to replace the clear tape and paint stripper was used to replace the Dunlop tape (Oh those friday chemical headaches!)
We would hear the whip, whip, whip of a cab coming back with detaching tape and groan knowing it would add time to the AF, but not as much as changing a blade!
You often hear a similar noise from the Merlins but that is the wind whistling over the blade tie down socket in the tip.
Cheers now
Last edited by oldgrubber; 16th Oct 2012 at 07:10.