Vintage Flottorp

[smksprk44]

I have a Flottorp prop which has a Chicago Mfg sticker and SO 9422 marking on it. Prop is 100" long with 8 bolt hub 4" deep and 5 5/8" bolt width 2 5/8" hub diameter. Wood appears to be maple or ash not certain but is light with copper leading edges wrapping complete outer prop and tapering back 19".

Anyone with potential info please share.

[Dave]

Without checking the actual dimensions, it sounds like an OX5 hub, and the size is right for an early propeller, probably teens or twenties. Flottorp is well known for its light aircraft props in the 30's and beyond, but they were involved in some of the early aircraft as well. I think I have spoken with the grandson of Ole Flottorp in the past, and as I recall the Chicago decals are fairly rare. UNfortunately, many of the records of the company were destroyed in fire many years ago.

If you don't have drawing numbers or other stamped information, you might not be able to identify it, and even if you do we might not have the reference information needed.

[smksprk44]

Thank you for your follow up. There does appear to be another stamped number next to the hub but is scratched up quite a bit and difficult to make out. I will spend some time trying to figure out what the number is. I guess the next question would be value? and understand that it is worth what someone is willing to pay. What is the market like for these props? and being that it is a Chicago made prop can you help me date it?

Thanks,

Tony

[Dave]

I don't know when Flottorp moved from Chicago to Grand Rapids, and I do know that their records apparently were all burned in a warehouse fire some time ago.

I'm not sure about value, but I think even as a generic prop with intact decals it should sell for something in the $1400 to $1800 range, and perhaps more if additional identification was obtained.

[smksprk44]

Thank you Dave for the info.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.


Tony