USN Westmoore Application Assistance

[v8sharkie]

Hello All,

I acquired this USN Westmoore late last year and it finally arrived!

I've gone through the usual ID process of checking dimensions and have come up short thus far. Any assistance in identifying the application would be greatly appreciated.

Also, looks to be a very early example of Westmoore based on the "Patent Applied For" shown in the decal (where it normally reads Propeller.)

Dimensions and additional info below if anyone wants to weigh in.

Hub Dimensions:
Bolt Circle 8”
Bolt Hole .75”
Bore 3.25”
Diameter 11.25”
Thickness 5”
Crush Plate (witness mark) 10.25”
Overall Length 108”
Widest part of the blade 14”

Stampings:
NO 1877
9’ X 5’ 9”
USN Anchor
75 stamped on either side of the hub

[v8sharkie]

Some additional images...

[Dbahnson]

That's a puzzler. The eight inch bolt hole circle is consistent with a Liberty engine, but the 3/4 inch bolt hole size is not, unless it was over-drilled for some reason. The rest of the data, including the fact that Westmoore was the manufacturer, certainly suggests that it was made for use on one of the U.S. Navy flying boats being developed towards the end of WW1 and shortly afterward. That was an intense development period that ended fairly quickly and left a lot of material as surplus, including hundreds if not thousands of wooden propellers. Then the propellers themselves quickly became obsolete as higher RPM engines replaced the slow turning WW1 engines.

You props looks typical of that surplus stock, and appears to have never been mounted to an engine. Metal sheathing was essential on seaplane applications, although it was also frequently used on others as well, but the stamped anchor certainly makes the flying boat use most likely.