Spitfire Propeller Blade?

[VISCOUNT]

I bought this blade recently and was told by the seller that it's from a Griffon powered Mk XII Spitfire and appears to have been restored.

On the base, the following is stamped.

RA 10167 RTS

HH 40 293

HRA 69278

4/48

Also, is the blade made of wood?


Many thanks,
Bob.

[VISCOUNT]

A couple of extra photos.

Many thanks,
Bob.

[Bob Gardner]

Hi Bob,

The seller was almost correct. Spitfire Mk XV or Seafire XVII, both with the Griffon VI engine. The blades are made of compressed wood impregnated with resin at high pressure. The hubs are steel, of course.

With kind regards,

Bob

[VISCOUNT]

Many thanks again, Bob.

[VISCOUNT]

Just one more question,please.

Does RA 10167/RS also apply to the Mk XV Spitfire and Seafire?

Regards,
Bob

[Bob Gardner]

Bob,

My mind was in neutral in my last reply.

RA10167 is the blade type used on the Seafires XV and XVII, not the Spitfire. The prop was made by Horden-Richmond and is dated April 1948. The process of compressing the wood and impregnating it with resin is called the Hydulignum process.

With kind regards,

Non