Mann Egerton S7 prop

[fotherbym]

Hi,
I recently purchased half of an old wooden prop (including the hub) in a junk shop in London, because I was pretty sure it was from a WW1 aircraft. It was made in England for a 140HP Hispano-Suiza, and I initialy thought it was from an SE5A, but a bit of internet reseach, and this fantastic website and forum has given me a bit more information. It is not in very good condition, but all the writing and numbers can still clearly be seen. The manufactures transfer of cursive gold lettering is also complete, although now almost the same colour as the wood. It reads "Made by Mann Egerton & Co. Ltd, Aircraft Works, Norwich, England". Mann Egerton & Co. Ltd., Aircraft Works, Norwich is also stamped on the blade close to the hub, and twice on the front of the hub at right angles to the blades. Under the hub, it has

140HP Hispano-Suiza
RH Tractor S7
D2450
P2132

I would guess that it is for an early (because only 140HP) SPAD VII (S7) made in the UK by Mann Egerton, diameter 2450mm, Pitch 2132mm.

There are three AID stamps, one on the remaining blade, AID 21R, with an S stamped above and below it, and two on the remaining stump of the other blade, both reading AID 65J.

Above the manufacturers name that is stamped into the blade near the hub are the numbers MI06I and P302. The P302 has a line through it. Can anyone tell me what these number might mean? I can post pictures in the next couple of days.

Thanks for a great site and forum.
Cheers,
Mark

[Dave]

Looking forward to the pictures.

The closest match I could find was drawing number AB723, which is shownfor a SPAD 7 using a 150 HP Hisso, RH with a diameter of 2450 and a pitch of 2130. Horsepower stampings are not always accurate, and I'm not sure of the few mm discrepancy in pitch, but my guess would be for the SPAD VII as well.

[fotherbym]

Hi,
First couple of pictures attached. The S7 is only just visible in the picture of the underneath of the hub, but more visible in reality.

[fotherbym]

Next couple of pictures attached.

[Bob Gardner]

Mark,

You are the answer to this author's prayers.

The part of my book on Mann Egerton et al is currently going through its final editing. Until I saw your excellent photos, I had none of a Mann Egerton prop. I hope you will allow me to use them, naturally with a credit to you.

The company is listed in the Aviation Pocket Book of 1917, 1918 and 1919-20 as both an aircraft maker and a prop maker, and your prop is possibly one of their first because the Sopwith Stutters made before the SPAD S7's had Lang props made by Lang. (At this date Lang had been bought by Tommy Sopwith and had become Sopwith's in house prop maker.)

The first Hisso engines were 140hp, very quickly upgraded to 150hp, then 180 and 200hp and so on.

S7 is the rather unusual British way of writing what every one else wrote as S VII.

Can you please post here a photo of the complete blade and hub.

Please return immediately to scouring every junk shop in England!

With kind regards,

Bob

[fotherbym]

Last couple of photos.

[Bob Gardner]

Mark,

Your prop is an English licence-built version of the French Levasseur prop that equipped the original French SPAD with the French Hispano-Suiza. All three; aircraft, engine and prop were made under licence in Britain.

Levasseur props were amongst the most elegant ever made.

With kind regards,

Bob