Curtiss Kirkham 18T

This Hartzell propeller was designed for use on the rare Curtiss Kirkham 18T "WASP" triplane. Built in 1918 for the U.S. Navy as a tactical fighter, it set a world speed record in 1918 and a world altitude record in 1919. It entered and was winning the Curtiss Marine Trophy Race in 1922, but ran out of fuel just before the finish line. The drawing number (1102) appears on a Hartzell listing, further confirming its use on the Wasp. What makes this particular propeller rare is that only 2 or these aircraft were built for the Navy (this propeller is stamped with the Navy insignia, see below), with 2 aircraft subsequently built for the Army and one built as a civil airplane and sold to Bolivia. (The Bolivian plane became the first airplane to fly from the capital city of LaPaz, at an elevation of 13,500 feet, but but crashed in May, 1921.) Hartzell Walnut company began building propellers in 1917, just one year before this propeller was made. This one was obviously made under a special contract (06614). It is in original condition, still retaining cork fillers in the hub bolt holes.

Wood: Birch
Length: 8 feet, 0 inches