Duct Tape Airplane On Mythbusters

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • An Alaska pilot successfully flew a bear-damaged Super Cub that had been extensively repaired with duct tape in 2009.
  • This real-world incident inspired the Discovery Channel's Mythbusters program to test the concept by covering an entire Belite airframe with duct tape.
  • Mythbusters documented their experiment to determine the airworthiness of a duct-tape-covered plane, with the results to be broadcast on an upcoming episode.
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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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