Please help me identify my Wooden Propeller

[she]

I have been given 1 blade from a four spar propeller.
Markings
A Darracq & Co London
8 bolt holes in the hub
BE12
RAF 4A
T6296
AID 305
769

The central hub may have once had a clock fitted.

The town Margate and seaplane manufacture and WW1 have been mentioned.

Any help in identifying would be very helpful,
Many Thanks
She

[ssp]

In addition to the above information I have established BE12 is the aeroplane, and RAF 4a the engine.

[Bob Gardner]

Greetings She,

Welcome to the forum.

You have almost completed the identification without our help.

Both the aircraft, the BE12, and the 4a engine were designed by the Royal Aircraft Factory and the aircraft came into use in 1917. It was essentially a single seat version of the BE2, a very sedate recce aircraft, where the front seat was replaced by an extra fuel tank which gave it much longer range.

The 4a engine developed 150hp.

Props for this aircraft were made under contract from about three firms who had been recruited because of their ability to mass produce wooden objects, of whom Darracq was one (they had made motorcars before the war.)

T6296 is the drg no. of the blueprint for this prop.

AID 305 is the airworthiness stamp of inspector no. 305

769 is probably Darracq's serial number for the prop.

There is no connection that I know of between this prop or its aircraft and Margate or a seaplane.

With kind regards,

Bob

[ssp]

Thanks Bob, can you suggest a good place to get a valuation?