Duct Tape Airplane On Mythbusters

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • An Alaskan pilot reportedly flew a Super Cub extensively damaged by a bear after making repairs with duct tape, an incident that gained significant internet attention.
  • Inspired by this real-life event, the Mythbusters television program conducted their own experiment by covering an entire Belite airframe with duct tape.
  • Photos suggested the Mythbusters' duct-taped aircraft appeared airworthy, with the results of its flight test to be unveiled on an upcoming episode of their show.
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Can an airplane covered with duct tape actually fly? That question seems to have already been answered in 2009 by an Alaska pilot who fixed significant bear damage to the fuselage and tail of his Super Cub with the fabled repair-all and reportedly flew it away, presumably toward a more permanent solution. The tale and the accompanying photos made the rounds on the Internet and caught the eye of someone at the Discovery Channel’s popular Mythbusters television program, They have since wrapped up their investigation.

The ever-inquisitive Mythbuster gang took their skepticism to a new level, however, and covered an entire Belite airframe with the gray matter. Photos of the finished creation appear to show an airworthy device but we’ll all have to wait until this Wednesday at 9 p.m. to see how well it flies.

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