RAF4a Hub

[Paul Bell]

I recently inherited the hub of a propeller from an RAF4a engine, probably used on an RE8 aircraft in WW1. There are a series of number on it, as follows:

G1130N47
T6296MLH
RAF4a
D2970
P3040


The middle one identifies the engine type (RAF4a), and the lower 2 giving the diameter and pitch (I think!). I wonder if anyone can advise what the first 2 numbers mean? I would like if possible to confirm whether the propeller was used on the RE8 aircraft. Many thanks

[Dave]

The first number (the "G" and "N") is I believe just a production number and has no real significance. The second set of numbers is the drawing number T6296M, followed by LH for left hand. That drawing number is listed for the BE12 and BE12A only, using the RAF4A engine. Drawing number T6296 (without the "M") was used on the BE12's but also could be used on the RE8 and RE8A, so yours was just used on the BE12.