Propeller clock

[JenSed]

Hi
In my late father's possessions I found a propeller clock. It sits in the hub and there are no blades. The clock part works and is made by Davison and Partner Ltd Stockton on Tees

On the bottom on the hub is the following
503
110 Le Rhone
504K
520N56
Dia. 27
Pitch 36S

On the top
G520N5

Can anyone help with the date - I'm thinking WW1?
Where would it have come from? My father was an RAF pilot (WW2 - 1983)

Thanks

Jenny

[Bob Gardner]

Good Morning Jenny,

The details on the hub show that the prop was designed by Avro (Y503) and was made for a French engine of 110hp made by Le Rhone (110 Le Rhone) for a Royal Flying Corps training aircraft, the Avro 504K. The diameter and pitch of the prop were 2740mm and 2655mm respectively.

The batch number of G520 indicates that it was made late in 1917. N56 indicates that it is the fifty-sixth prop in that batch of 100 props.

If you sold it at auction here in the UK it would make about 200 GBP, about 300 USD. If you decide to sell it, let me know and I'll advise on the best auction house to use.

Could you look closely at the hub and see if you can find some small squares, usually four in a group, with AID in them and a number under the AID. Each square is tiny, smaller than the finger-nail on a little-finger. These are airworthiness stamps and I would like the details for my database that I am building up. Often they are not legible.

With kind regards,

Bob

[oinkitt]

Hi Bob - here are all the numbers off my prop

I am quite fortunate in that all my impressed info is very crisp.

TOP

130 H.P. CLERGET
110 H.P. LE RHONE
DRG Y 503
690
87
R.H.

BOTTOM

G. 1503.
N. 84.
R.H.

FRONT INSIDE FRONT

AID AID G1503
652 652

AID AID N84
652 652


Regards,


Adrian.

[JenSed]

Propeller clock

Good afternoon Bob and thank you for your very speedy reply

What a wealth of information from a few numbers!

I've looked all over the hub but sadly I can't find any AIM squares - were they always in the same place? Perhaps the clock face is obliterating them?

At present I don't intend to sell the clock as its a very precious reminder of my late father but should the need arise I'll certainly get back to you if I may

Best wishes

Jenny

[JenSed]

Sorry!

Sorry Bob - read AID numbers not AIM!!

A Senior Moment I'm afraid!

Jenny

[Bob Gardner]

Hello Jenny,

I am glad to have been of help.

Thank you for looking for the AID numbers,

Bob

[Bob Gardner]

Thanks Adrian, for the info from your Avro 504 prop. The G number suggests that your prop was allocated its G number in late 1919. I have added the details to my database.

With kind regards,

Bob

[Paul and Toby]

Dear Bob,

We recently bought a wooden propeller clock here in Sydney NSW.

If appropriate please feel free to include our propeller (with French clock) in your register. From previous posts to Jenny looks as if it came from an Avro, but we would appreciate your opinion on its origin.

GY 503

10 . LE. RHO (cut off here). Cannot see an extra ‘1’ to indicate 110 Le Rhone

2655.

28 (chipped edge)

Rear of propeller: 35

No square punch marks or AID seen

8 bolt holes.

Any information would be appreciated.

Many thanks,

Paul and Toby

[Bob Gardner]

'Morning Paul & Toby,

The drawing number Y503, where Y indicates Avro, is for a prop made for the Avro 504K, as you suspected. It had the 110hp le Rhone engine, as the markings suggest.

With kind regards,

Bob

[Paul and Toby]

Thanks very much Bob. We hope the details can join your database.

best wishes
Paul and Toby