A specially designed flat plate was mounted vertically over the axial line in the wind tunnel of the Pusan National University. Strain balances were mounted in the trailing part of the plate to measure the skin friction drag over removable insertions of $0.55{ imes}0.25m^2$ size. A set of the insertions was designed and manufactured: 3 mm thick polished metal surface and three compliant surfaces. The compliant surfaces were manufactured of a silicone rubber Silastic$^{(R)}$ S2 (Dow Corning company). To modify the viscoelastic properties of the rubber, its composition was varied: 90% rubber + 10% catalyst (standard), 92.5% + 7.5% (weak), 85% + 15% (strong). Modulus of elasticity and the loss factor were measured accurately for these materials in the frequency range from 40 Hz to 3 kHz. The aging of the materials (variation of their properties) for the period of one year was documented as well. Along with the drag measurement using the strain balance, velocity and pressure were measured for different coating. The strong compliant coating achieved 5% drag reduction within a velocity range $20{sim}40$ m/s while standard and weak coatings increased drag reduction.