Unit Construction

[james c irvin]

Not sure if right place. I have just aquiired an old propeller with this info-
Unit Construction Company serial # 2008 Philadelphia, USA (8006)after
Navy Serial # 53-216
lenght 8feet 8 inches
8 9/16 holes
left hand
Have been told by Ron Twellman to look into post WWI Navy aircraft & particulary amphibian or seaplanes. Does have brass lead and convas over wood. I thank you for info.

[Dave]

Unit Construction was one of the many suppliers of propellers for the Navy and Signal Corps in the late teens. Not much known about the company itself however. You can try to match the hub dimensions with an engine using this data, and a photo might be helpful as well.

Here's another Unico prop.

[james c irvin]

Thanks,

Dave, Thanks for the info. My propeller matched everything of the Liberty 12 except for the hub thickness. Mine is 3 1/2 not 7 1/4. Total thickness of prop is 5" with 3/4" machined out of both sides to give the 3 1/2. There is a Unit Construction Co decal towards each end. Also a old paper tag tacked in the machined out section that says " From Bruce H Schaff - importer / exporter
24 S American Street Philladelpia, PA For --Blank--. How would I send a photo?

Thanks and Merry Christmas.

[Dave]

Top of the main page, Posting Photos.

The thin hub and notching indicates that it was half of 4 blade combination, with two separate 2 blades locked together in the hub. Yours is either the front blade or the rear blade, which can be determined by its configuration. I'm not sure why it would be notched out at both sides - it should just be one side and the opposite face should be flat, to go against the metal hub. It's possible is was just carelessly notched at the factory then rejected, although I wouldn't expect it to get decals if that was the case.