Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site in Macon County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

It Was Called "Dope"

Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 16, 2016

1. It Was Called "Dope" Marker

Inscription. During World War II primary training airplanes were built mostly of wood and fabric. Ground crews sealed and strengthened the fabric with several applications of a highly flammable, explosive acetate coating called "dope." This shed was used to store the dope.

Applying dope could be a messy job if not done correctly. The wear and tear on heavily used training aircraft gave ground crews plenty of opportunities to learn application and safety procedures.

...it was called dope. The fabric was a special linen...you'd paint it with this dope...and when the dope would dry, it would shrink tight on there...and the dope more or less made it waterproof.
George H. Carper, 2003

{Photo caption}
Ground crewmen coat a wing with dope.
Note "Tuskegee Institute" designation on
the mechanic's jumpsuit.

Erected by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Air & Space • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 2003.

Location. 32° 27.414′ N, 85° 40.779′ W. Marker is in Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, Alabama, in Macon County. Located at the Tuskegee Airmen

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National Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1616 Chappie James Avenue, Tuskegee AL 36083, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bath and Locker House (a few steps from this marker); Fire Suppression Pond (a few steps from this marker); Moton Field Expands (a few steps from this marker); Warehouse/Vehicle Storage (within shouting distance of this marker); Oil Storage Shed (within shouting distance of this marker); Waiting for the Bus (within shouting distance of this marker); A Bit to Eat (within shouting distance of this marker); A Typical Day (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 16, 2016

2. It Was Called "Dope" Marker

Shed is located on extreme right behind green electrical transformer. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 16, 2016

3. Shed is located on extreme right behind green electrical transformer.

Partial wing, showing the layers, including linen that had the dope applied. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 16, 2016

4. Partial wing, showing the layers, including linen that had the dope applied.

Wing located in the Hangar #1 museum.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 8, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 24, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 573 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on December 6, 2016, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 24, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.