#2083

[@CraigHollabaugh]

Who's kidding who Mr. Phelps, that tape will self destruct in 5 seconds.

[@pauluzs]

Since the kepton tape is driving the magnetic tape on the outside, the speed of both tapes would be constant across the read heads. Only the reel speed changes with diameter and the tape speeds are directly related to motor rpm

[@uni-byte]

Yes, this is correct.

[@TheEmbeddedHobbyist]

My problem in thinking is the drive tape goes around both spools and run on the tape. the diameter of the tape changes as the spools empty and fill, but if the drive tape is going to be rubbing on them. so it's going to pull the tape off one spool at the same speed as it pulls the tape on the other regardless of tape diameter on each spool. I expect the tape will be moving quite slow as it might have to record for more than one flight. but then again is it com's or instrument and flight controls data.

[@M0UAW_IO83]

I have no idea what I'd use it for but I love this piece of tech, the mechanics of it, the appearance, it's just great.

[@KeritechElectronics]

A thing of beauty, a joy for ever.

[@mr1enrollment]

I imagine that the read/write speed is neighborhood of 1inch/sec or even less. Actually don't know - but since these are meant to be flight recorders - they must provide an extended time. Careful with your screw drivers if they are magnetic - keep away from heads unless you have a de-mag. Interesting drive,...

[@uni-byte]

It won't speed up. The driven Mylar tape is in contact with the magnetic tape therefore the mag tape will travel at the same speed as the Mylar tape. The spools will change speed though. The tachometer is there to keep the drive speed CONSTANT. It's actually quite ingenious.

[@TomSherwood-z5l]

Wonder what the rest of the thing looks like. So it is just the mechanicals of a full recorder system and is made removable for maintenance and possible data retrieval in a shop. I am surprised that motor whizzed at 5 volts as alot of those type of motors run on 28V in aircraft stuff. There is often the part numbers, maker, rated voltage and RPMs etc. printed on those kind of motors.

[@TheElectronicDilettante]

I can’t imagine that if it was holding classified data, that it would have the ability to play the data built in. Maybe throw the tape on a reel to reel audio player, or transfer into an old plastic cassette and stick into a data tape reader circa War Games.

[@TomSherwood-z5l]

The only classified thing is that it was recording military flights, not that there was any super secrets on tape.

[@sefarkas0]

The coating looks like Chromate conversion coating, pretty common in the 70s

[@JamieTyson]

Could be the hexavalent zinc! Nasty stuff to use, but worked so well you could brush it on repaired aluminum on the runway! Lots of good US Navy and Air Force docs on this.

[@silentrunner3067]

possibly chromic acid dip, or if I recall correctly conversion coating spec # MIL-P-8514 wash primer

[@silentrunner3067]

correction MIL-C-8514

[@TeslaTales59]

Are you going to reassemble and play the tape on an audio device?

[@TomSherwood-z5l]

Unless it is a data recorder which would be inaccessible for anything. Just to see if it is recorded on is all.

[@frankowalker4662]

You had that running way too fast in the forward direction. If it's a voice recorder, I'd expect it to run at 1 7/8 i.p.s. (cassette speed) or even 15/16 i.p.s. (1/2 cassette speed)

[@TomSherwood-z5l]

You might experience the big mil surplus letdown when you have a particularly nicely made, superb quality device that you can find absolutely no use for at all. If you get frustrated you can pass it on over to Fran Lab or something and move on.