Abstract: The tape drive device for a magnetic transfer apparatus comprises a master tape and a slave tape wound about a rotary drum and kept in intimate pressure contact with one another by air jetted from a rectangular nozzle formed in an air guide member enclosing and secured to a magnetic head. During tape running, tension on each tape is controlled to a constant value by tension sensors associated with respective tape reels. When it is desired upon termination of transfer operation to stop the tape travel, the tape reels for a slave tape presenting a higher inertia are braked first. The remaining reels presenting a lower inertia are then acted upon and the tape tension sensing means associated therewith are operated to control the tension to a constant value in the course of simultaneous cessation of the tape travel.