cheetah propeller

[V. Ryan]

I have a prop with the following marks. Can you tell me what each mark means and the year of manufacture please?

DRGNOLA, 613 c/1,
Cheetah X1
D.&.33.P.696
H.R.A. 33030

Thanks

[Bob Gardner]

Hello Vicki,

Thank you for your separate e-mail to me and for this thread. Your propeller was from the Airspeed Oxford, a light twin used during WWII and after as a training aircraft and communications aircraft. The RNZAF used it extensively.

The drawing number is LA613 which indicates the standard prop for the Oxford. C1 indicates that it is an early prop.
Diameter and pitch are respectively 8.33feet (I guess) and 6.96feet.
I don't know what HRA means but it is very often found on British props from the late 1930's.

The Armstrong Cheetah engine was used in many thousands. The Airspeed Oxford used the Mark IX and Mark X. The Mark XI was a geared version of the Mk X if I remember correctly (I often don't) and is rather an obscure version. On your prop it probably reads Cheetah X followed by a scratch or ding that looks like a I.

With kind regards,

Bob