Can you help me to identify this propeller?

[roger pemberton]

My grandfather was an observer in the RFC during the 1914-1918 war. He was later in the RAF. I remember him telling me about ditching an aircraft near to the battle lines. He always had a propeller hanging in the hall which I assumed must have been from that plane. I have inherited that four bladed propeller- just one blade and the boss (?). In the centre of the boss a clock has been inserted. The following identification marks can clearly be seen on te boss. Wolseley-T7448 -RAF 1A-100-BE2C. Also AID 195 8278. On the top of the propeller an engraved plaque has been fixed which reads: 5 Squadron RFC Somme - Ancre November 1916.
Can you help solve the mystery: If the RAF was not formed until April 1918 then can the dates on the plaque be correct? Or are the letters RAF on the boss coincidental? There is no copper on the propeller which is made of beautifully laminated wood.

[Bob Gardner]

Roger,

RAF 1A indicates the engine of the aircraft, designed by the Royal Aircraft Factory at Farnborough. When the Royal Air Force was formed in 1918 the Factory was renamed the Royal Aircraft Establishment, RAE, a name it retained until the 1990's.

Your data on the hub translates as;
Wolseley; the people who made it
T7448; A prop designed by the Royal Aircraft Factory. It was the standard prop for the BE2C, D and E from 1915 to 1918.
RAF 1A 100; The 100hp Type 1 engine designed by the Royal Aircraft Factory
BE2C; the aircraft
AID 195; Approved for airworthiness by Aircraft Inspection Department Inspector No 195
8278; the prop serial number

British props used brass for sheathing, not copper. But only on seaplanes and pusher aircraft until 1917. The BE2 was a tractor aircraft.

I hope you feel able to keep it in your family, rather than sell it on eBay

With regards,

Bob

[roger pemberton]

Thank you for your prompt response. You may rest assured - the propeller will remain in the family. Could you tell me what is a 'tractor aircraft'?
Is the aircraft the same as the one on your web site which you state was used for observation purposes? This would tie in with the story told to me by my grandfather.
Kind regards
Roger Pemberton

[Dave]

Tractor is the opposite of pusher, i.e. the propeller pulls rather than pushes the aircraft forward.

I'm with Bob on the keep it issue. Someone downstream will be very grateful someday.

[Katipixi]

Hey Roger,
As I was reading your post, I realised that I have very similar circumstances to you. A few years back my mum inherited a Wolseley T7448 propeller from her grandfather. I'm guessing that it is the same make and model. When my Mum was little the prop hung on the wall in the corridor on very loose old fittings, and she and her siblings would always have to creep past it. My propeller doesn't have a plaque of any sort on it, but it does have a rather interesting bullet hole at the end of one of the blades. The Australian War Memorial requested the propeller about 5 years ago, but to my relief my parents kept it! I would love to hear anything history wise that you know about your propeller and its make in general. Thanks!,
Sarah

[Dave]

Wow, that's one to keep as well. Love the bullet hole.

Can you post a picture?