The coated blade operated 16.2 hours prior to being flown in rain. Visual inspection revealed no deterioration. After 1.5 operating hours in heavy rain (to a total operating time of 17.7 hours), the coating on both blades was deteriorated to the point of failure of materiel. However, the blades remained on the helicopter until they had accumulated 55.9 operating hours. During the additional operating time the blades did not appear to deteriorate any further, but they were not operated in rain. The main-rotor blade erosion-resistant leading-edge coating is not suitable for operation in rain. Further studies be conducted through USAAVLABS to develop main-rotor-blade erosion-resistant material that is not susceptible to rain damage.
'Product Improvement Test of UH-1 Main Rotor Blades with Erosion-Resistant Leading-Edge Coating.'
1968
5 pages
Report
No indication
English
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