Identify French Propeller

[lion65]

Hello all forum members,

can anyone help me to identify this French propeller?
Probably it is a propeller from a Spad VIII?
Diameter is 265 cm. Markings on the propeller:

ARE
200 RN
Serie 573
N 13824
Numéro 13824
L - I
SFA

Many thanks on forehand!

Greetings,
Gert de Leeuw

[Dave]

Actually, I see it listed for an A.R. L1 with a Renault engine, which probably explains the "L1" stamping and the "RN 200". It's a Levasseur design and has the typical Levasseur shape.

Here's the page from the AEF listings in 1918.

[lion65]

French propeller

Hallo Dave,

many thanks for your quick reply and answer. Now i understand that
'ARE' stands for Avions Renault, and the information on the propeller is according with your attached file. Enclosed a picture of the Dorand AR1
with 190 / 200 hp Renault engine.

Kind regards,
Gert

[pmdec]

Hi,

From a STAé listing from second half of 1917, Levasseur serial 573 was approved for Dorand aircraft AR1 2A2 fitted with a 170HP Renault engine. Another listing, from Gorrell's history of AEF (the one posted by Dave) is from a bit later and shows more approved models (L1, L2) and a 190HP engine. So, yours, with its 200HP Renault engine has to be late (1918 or later).

"AR" means "Avion de Reconnaissance". French military used 3 letters to identify aircraft on propellers. There is no other aircraft with A and R as two first letters. So, it have to be a Dorand. But what about the E? A mismarking for 2, as E and 2 speak similar in French? Another possibility is it is a E for "Evacuation": on Wiki page ( http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorand_AR.1 ) you can read there were 6 Dorand converted in "avions-ambulances" (~ sanitary aircrafts), that is Evacuation aircrafts in military language (hold the mouse on the words "avion-ambulance" on Wiki page). The note "3" on this line refers to "Le Trait d'Union", which is a highly credible source of information. This interpretation is consistent with the 200 hp Renault engine (entered in service in 1918 ) and the fact your prop has two sets of markings, very visible on DC_0016.jpg picture : it may be a AR1 2A2 prop re-approved for a sanitary aircraft with a 200HP Renault engine.

Can you tell me which letter is after SFA stamp which is near "d 2"?

Regards,
PM