Aircraft dope facts for kids
Aircraft dope is a special kind of liquid coating, like a paint, that is put on the fabric parts of airplanes. It makes the fabric tight and strong. This helps the plane's fabric stay airtight and protected from weather. It also makes the fabric last longer.
This special coating has been used on both real airplanes and flying model planes for a long time.
What is Aircraft Dope?
People have used doping techniques in building aircraft since the very first planes flew. Even the fabric on the famous Wright Flyer used this coating. Without dope, fabric coverings were not strong enough and could easily catch fire. This made them much less safe for flying.
By the 1910s, many different types of dope were being used. New formulas were also being created often. Some common types of dope include special chemicals like nitrocellulose and cellulose acetate. The liquid dope can be very easy to burn. For example, nitrocellulose is also known as "guncotton," which is an explosive material. Dopes often have colors added to them. This helps workers see where they are applying the dope, making sure it covers everything evenly. Dope comes in many different colors.
Dope has been used on various aircraft fabrics, such as a type of cotton called madapollam. More recently, it has also been used on polyester and other similar fabrics. Polyester fabric coverings are now very common in the aircraft industry. Cotton and linen fabrics are hardly used anymore. The ways dope is applied have also improved. This helps reduce shrinking, makes the dope stick better, and increases how long it lasts.
Keeping Workers Safe
By the 1910s, people realized that while dope was very helpful, some types could be risky for workers' health. The chemicals used to dissolve the dope before applying it could be harmful if breathed in. Doctors in several countries learned about this problem before the First World War. They encouraged factories to have good air circulation to protect workers. In the United Kingdom, studies were done to check the health effects of different dopes. They found that some dopes were safer than others. More studies about dope and health were also done during the Second World War.
Modern Use of Dope
As airplane engines became more powerful and designs improved, materials like aluminum and later composite materials became the main choices for building planes. This happened in the second half of the 1900s. However, some lighter aircraft still use fabric. These include gliders, planes built by hobbyists at home, and light sport aircraft. So, doping techniques are still used today, but not as much as they were when aviation first started.
There are now other ways to cover aircraft fabric that do not use dope. But when an older plane needs repairs, it must use the same materials and techniques that were used when it was first built. This means that traditionally-built aircraft continue to use doping techniques throughout their lives.
When Dope Goes Wrong
Sometimes, accidents have happened because dope was not used correctly. Common mistakes include mixing dope with other chemicals, using it on the wrong types of fabric, or applying it to dirty or poorly prepared surfaces.
In 1930, there was an investigation into the R101 airship disaster. It was found that improper doping had made the airship's fabric brittle and easy to damage.
For the 1937 Hindenburg airship disaster, one idea is that a spark ignited the outer skin of the Hindenburg. This skin was coated with a highly flammable dope. This idea suggests the spark started a fire.
In 1995, aircraft designer Steve Wittman and his wife, Paula Muir, died when their plane broke apart in flight. The investigation found that the types of dope used on the plane did not stick together well. This caused the wing fabric to separate.
