Help Needed identifying a propeller

[Sparkey]

Hi,
My partners Grandfather brought home a wooden propeller at the end of world war 2 and I am trying to identify what aircraft this may have come from. The family can only tell me that they are led to beleive that the aircraft was Italian. The grandfather served in Nth Africa and spent time in Italy.
I have tried to decipher the codes on the housing and specs as follows:
It is roughly 2.8m in total length.
Has 8 bolt holes...

One end has engraved
DRG No Y 503
110 HI L ARHONL
AVRO 504K

The other has engraved
D 2743
P 2655
ACG No 015668
HG / 29
( Note: The above may not be entirely accurate as it is difficult to see:
I have added photos for further help.)

Any help grateful

[Dave]

It's British and was made for the AVRO 504 A through 504 K series aircraft built during and after WW1. The drawing number (Y 503) is correct and the stamping below it indicates the engine, a 110 HP LeRhone.

It looks from the photos that the hub may have been carved out for a clock or other insert?

[Sparkey]

Thanks Dave.
I was starting to suspect that was what it was.
Yes, there is a panel screwed onto the front that contained a clock (which has since been removed).
Is there anyway of tracing where it went to?
Did the Italian Air Force use the Avron as a Trainer during WW2?

[Bob Gardner]

Your prop was probably made by de Havilland for Avro. The number 29 indicates that it was made in 1929. Usually it's written with the month, eg; SEP/29.

With regards,

Bob

[Dave]

Bob, why DeHavilland?

I thought the "Y" prefix in the drawing number meant it was likely made by A.V. Roe.

[Bob Gardner]

Hi Dave,

Yes, you are correct that the drawing number of Y503 indicates that it was designed by Avro; and they made some props for their own aircraft. But other people made props to this design under contract from Avro and from the Air Ministry, I think this prop was made by DH because of the ACG number which I think is unique to DH, but I should add that I haven't explored this in any detail.

Throughout WW1, different prop makers were contracted to make props, sometimes of other people's design. Props made to a Lang design (LP) were widely made under contract to the Air Ministry by a host of other makers.

By the 1930's, prop-making had devolved to about three specialist makers in the UK; Watts, Bristol and DH. Other aircraft makers who once had their own prop making shop, increasingly bought in their props from one of these three makers.

With regards,

Bob