JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER RUBBER MAT
Own a piece of history. These
1/4" thick rubber mats were produced at the same time an intricate rubber
walkway was created for a large display by the successful bidder for the US
military's newest jet fighter, Lockheed Martin.
The 4' wide rubber walkway
was installed around the interior perimeter of a jet hanger at the super secret Skunk
Works in Palmdale, California
and surrounding a prototype of Lockheed Martin's
offering for the new Joint Strike Fighter.
Along the wall of the hanger
were display cases showing various aspects of the new fighter jet. At each
display case along the walkway was an inlay of the new fighter jet in the mat
identical to that pictured at the left.
These rubber mats were made
from recycled crumb rubber which used to be automobile tires. The granulated rubber
was
blended with a urethane binder and the mixture was then compression molded
into a large cylinder. This cylinder was cut in a peeling action into 1/4"
thick sheets.
The resulting rubber sheet
was then cut with a water-jet for precision. It happens that the water-jet
used for this project also was used to cut parts for the Stealth Fighter/Bombers.
The inlay of the jet is
attached to the black field on the backside with tape, much like wood veneer
inlays are assembled before lamination.
Mats are shipped rolled via
UPS Ground. Rolling may cause separation between the inlay jet and the black
field. If this happens the tape used is duct tape, available at any hardware
store. |
