Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum - Luftwaffe aircraft on HMS Reaper

Page 2 of 2

Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page

Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum (http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/index.php)

- Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces (http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/forumdisplay.php?f=8)

- - Luftwaffe aircraft on HMS Reaper (http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=59038)

richdlc

1st January 2021 18:15

Re: Luftwaffe aircraft on HMS Reaper

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckeye30 (Post 300042)

Cosmoline ( the heavy Petroleum/ grease compound) was replaced for deck deliveries in 1943 by Par-al-ketone a petroleum derivative useful for the Atlantic but hard to remove;
replaced in 1944 by a plastic coating called Plastiphane, easy to peel off. Transport on deck was much more economical than dis-assembling and crating.
I think the latter was also called Eronol. Crated aircraft parts were covered with plastic sheeting called Pliofilm.
P-47s on deck had props, tail assemblies and wing tips removed before Plastiphane applied.
Nick

cheers Nick - what's the source for the info?

Buckeye30

2nd January 2021 10:48

Re: Luftwaffe aircraft on HMS Reaper

"The Army Air Forces in WWII" Vol.VI Chapter 12 (Craven & Cate).
"P-51 erection & maintainance instructions" ( Section II Shipment & erection procedure)
Various Lend-Lease books.
"Aircraft carriers of the World 1914--present" (Chesneau).

Incidentally REAPER (ex. AVG-54) served in the Pacific as an aircraft transport and support carrier , returning in May 1946.
Regards
Nick

richdlc

2nd January 2021 11:13

Re: Luftwaffe aircraft on HMS Reaper

many thanks, excellent research & a great help to me

Karoband

2nd January 2021 12:35

Re: Luftwaffe aircraft on HMS Reaper

Hi Rich,

I think Chris Goss was right. This "plastic coating" was a black rubberised substance that was sprayed on, manufactured by a company called Plastiphane. It had nothing to do with shrink-wrap.

After googling 'Eronol' and 'Plastiphane' I learned that "...the first substance used was called Eronol. This was a very 'bitchumen' [sic] black application that was sprayed on, and was later considered both labour intensive and dangerous due to it needing to be removed by hand, using paraffin!! Later (from 1944 onward) the contract was given to the Plastiphane Co. who devised a solution that was more hard-wearing, easier to apply and remove, and was protective in a wide range of climate conditions...".

It took about 54 gallons of "Plastiphane" to coat a P-51.

best regards,

Jim

richdlc

2nd January 2021 14:31

Re: Luftwaffe aircraft on HMS Reaper

cheers!

Buckeye30

2nd January 2021 16:52

Re: Luftwaffe aircraft on HMS Reaper

Rich. The "Saran" you mentioned in Post 3 was used to wrap the guns when removed when the aircraft was crated.
The procedures for treating components for on-deck transport were applied when the aircraft was carried on a carrier deck, or hatch cover or steel girder frames on a merchant ship.
Pliofilm was an actual plastic bag which could be used to secure (smaller) aircraft assemblies in crates eg. for P-51 / P-40.

Nick

Snautzer

3rd January 2021 11:41

Re: Luftwaffe aircraft on HMS Reaper

https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/attach...rt-jpg.279412/

Buckeye30

3rd January 2021 14:59

Re: Luftwaffe aircraft on HMS Reaper

Nice clear photo thanks for posting.
On P-51s spinners, props, wing tips, tail assembly , flaps and ailerons were removed and stored separately. All joints sealed with waterproof tape, cowlings covered with oilcloth then a canvas cover, openings with greaseproof paper or waterproof tape. The open-ended tail section had a canvas cover (then the covers sprayed with the compound).
These Mustangs are being "de-greased" on arrival in the UK (probably by CVE) note the tapes.
Nick

Edit---US National Archives photo.

richdlc

3rd January 2021 16:54

Re: Luftwaffe aircraft on HMS Reaper

All times are GMT +2. The time now is 00:09.

Page 2 of 2

Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page