Chinook night blades

[moonmanflyer]

See these photos attached of a real chinook below
Kopp-Etchells_1.jpg

Kopp-Etchells_2.jpg

Kopp-Etchells_3.jpg
At first look you think the Real helicopter boys have seen our night flying and started to copy but infact what it is is the sand is hiting the titanium leading edge of the blades and causing sparks and really shows up at night.

[glen_j]

looks good though

[Si Goodchild]

looks good though

...yep, I'm sure the RPG-toting Taliban guy thinks it looks really good. I wonder what the cure for that could be? Sacrificial leading-edge tape?

Si G

[glen_j]

...yep, I'm sure the RPG-toting Taliban guy thinks it looks really good. I wonder what the cure for that could be? Sacrificial leading-edge tape?

Si G

ah yeah didn't think about that problem with anything on the blades it it'd have to be able to withstand sandblasting so perhaps some kind of rubber coating???

[moonmanflyer]

Yep it is a problem, but luckaly only happens at low level, when they kick up all the sand

[mark lane]

Awesome pics though James.

Love the Chinook.... sounds the daddy too

[Mart61]

...yep, I'm sure the RPG-toting Taliban guy thinks it looks really good. I wonder what the cure for that could be? Sacrificial leading-edge tape?

Si G

Exactly that. Whilst out in the Middle East I arranged for mylar tape to be fitted to the leading edges of the Apaches during the Gulf War to not only prevent this happening during a shamal, but also to minimise leading edge erosion.

[Brian Gifford]

Exactly that. Whilst out in the Middle East I arranged for mylar tape to be fitted to the leading edges of the Apaches during the Gulf War to not only prevent this happening during a shamal, but also to minimise leading edge erosion.

How often did the tape have to be re-applied, Martin?

[Mart61]

In truth Brian, I've no idea. We prepared them to go into theatre and never saw them again. However, I doubt it would last long. Depends on how much sand is kicked up, either by the shamals, or on landing I guess.

[moonmanflyer]

Yeh they all suffer the same problem, blade errosion is a problem for sure