Made by the famed Jam Handy Organization, a leading educational and training film company, this black & white training film "Doping Techniques" explains the process of doping fabric for airplanes. It likely dates to the WWII era. Aircraft dope is a plasticized lacquer that is applied to fabric-covered aircraft. It tightens and stiffens fabric stretched over airframes, which renders them airtight and weatherproof, increasing their durability and lifespan. Without the application of dope, fabric coverings lacked durability while being highly flammable, both factors rendering them far less viable.

Opening: Doping Techniques (:06-:35). A U.S. Navy Stearman type biplane lands. The plane on the tarmac. Two are shown handling fabric. A man blows smoke through fabric, water is poured into fabric and it leaks through. A man in Navy dress applies a coat of dope and sands it as well on pieces of the plane as its being built. The first coat of dope is being brushed onto the metal (:36-2:13). Tape is used after to ensure no air bubbles. Dope is brushed over the tape. Celluloid grommets are doped to the wings the same as tape. Patches, lacing tapes and fasteners are added as well. The brush is dipped to about one half of it's length and then the dope is applied. Any dope that drips onto any part should be taken by a dried brush (2:14-4:04). A worker applies the dope to the wings. A man sprays any dust off the surface with a dust gun, the placement and proximity is explained (4:05-5:09). Cross spraying. Dope is sprayed. How to spray and the way to spray is explained (5:10-6:14). If dope runs, how to fix this is shown and explained. The man holds the spray gun up high. A hand sands down the dope and the fabric. A wetter sandpaper is used to avoid scratches. The bi-plane on the tarmac, propeller is on. The spray gun is used by the man working on the wing. The bi-plane takes off into the sky (6:15-8:28). End credits (8:29-8:36).

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com