TM55-1500-345-23
ing dots installed by the contractor, but will be added
b.
For non-tactical aircraft.
by field personnel as required.
(1) The blades may be painted with stripes
per Figures 8-8, 8-9, 8-10, and 8-11.
TAIL ROTOR BLADES.
(2) On all propellers, paint the stripes on the
NOTE
front side, and aircraft black on the backside. Plated
hubs remain unpainted. Spinners to be painted as
Complete repainting of rotor blades
shown on figure 8-8 and figure 8-10. OV-1 blade data
should be accomplished at an approved
will be painted on nearest white section between 18
ovehaul facility or depot activity. The
and 24 inch stations as described above. Data on
weight and balance of blades is critical
blade on an aircraft, other than OV-1, may be placed
and complete repainting is not allowed
on first white section from hub (spinner) and stenciled
by field units. Refer to applicable main-
in aircraft black.
tenance manual for extent of painting
blades.
MAIN ROTOR BLADES.
For tactical aircraft.
a.
NOTE
(1) Prime blade surfaces epoxy type
MIL-P-23377 or MIL-P-85582. Apply primer in accor-
Complete repainting of rotor blades
dance with Chapter 3.
should be accomplished at an approved
overhaul facility or depot activity. The
(2) Both sides of the blades will be painted
weight and balance of blades is critical
Aircraft Black, MIL-C-46168, No. 37038.
and complete repainting Is not allowed
(3) The rotor hubs and control mechanism
by field units. Refer to applicable main-
shall be painted aircraft black, except for mating, Ioad
tenance manual for extent of painting
bearing or dynamic surfaces.
blades.
For non-tactical aircraft.
b.
For tactical aircraft. The upper and lower sur-
a.
face of main rotor blades shall be finished in Aircraft
(1) Prime blade surfaces with primer
Black, MIL-C-46168, No. 37038.
MIL-P-23377 or MIL-P-85582. Apply primer in accor-
dance with Chapter 3.
b.
For non-tactical aircraft.
(2) Both sides of the blades may be painted
(1) The under surface of the blades shall be
with stripes per figure 8-8 and 8-13. Note that the outer
finished in aircraft black.
two stripes are the same on all blades in figure 8-13.
(2) The upper surface of the blades will be
(3) Application of stripes to tail rotor blades
painted with stripes per figure 8-8, 8-10, and 8-13.
involves a 20% offset of non-concentric sections so as
Note that the outer two stripes are the same on all
to provide concentric rings during rotation. Careful
blades.
attention should be given to figures 8-8 and 8-13 when
applying this paint scheme.
(3) For additional visibility in arctic areas,
the outer 25% of the blades may be painted fluores-
(4) The CH-54 tail rotor shall retain the
cent red orange. The remaining portion of blades will
stripes as indicated in Chapter 9, instead of the stripes
be divided into 15% black and white segments as
in figure 8-13.
shown in the figures.
(5) The rotor hubs and control mechanism
(4) The CH-54 shall not have the striped
shaft be painted aircraft black, except for mating, lOad
paint scheme because the size of this aircraft makes
bearing or dynamic surface.
it visible without the striped paint scheme.
(6) For OH-6 aircraft, the high visibility paint
(5) The rotor and hubs and control mecha-
scheme shall be applied only at facilities having proper
nisms shall be painted aircraft black except for mating,
balancing equipment for the OH-6 tail rotor blades.
load bearing or dynamic surfaces.
This special handling is required because of the critical
balancing of the OH-6 tail rotor blades. Paint scheme
c.
Identifying dots of various colors will be
may be changed at the time of tail rotor assembly over-
installed by the contractor on mounted blades for the
haul.
purpose of matching blade with identifying color on the
hub. Blades ordered individually will not have identify-
