Tweet
I am restoring an original 1934 Pietenpol Air Camper, and according to the paperwork, it had a Flottorp propeller, "wood, copper tipping". It would've been a custom prop, as the engine was a converted Ford Model A, and the model is listed as "7543", which fits with the normal diameter and pitch recommended for props for the Model A engine. Here is a copy of the original registration application showing the prop info:
I was able to track down the family of the original builders, and by a miracle they had old photo albums with some photos of the airplane when it was new. Here is one showing the prop:
Unfortunately the scan is from a small print, something like 3"x4", so much of the detail is lost, including the decals.
I would like to carve a new propeller to match the original one, and am trying to determine which Flottorp decal would've been used. There seem to be two variants in that time period, the "Both Blades Alike" version:
which seems to be common on OX-5 props, so maybe more correct for the 1929 time period, and the "Grand Rapids 6" version:
which I suspect is a later version, so possibly more correct?
Also, can anybody tell me the dimensions of those decals??
In addition, the prop looks quite dark in the photos, almost as if it was painted black. This is long before Flottorp props were black, but has anybody seen 1930s props painted rather than clear varnished? Perhaps it was just a dark wood, mahogony?
Thanks for any help-
-
I was able to track down the family of the original builders, and by a miracle they had old photo albums with some photos of the airplane when it was new. Here is one showing the prop:
Unfortunately the scan is from a small print, something like 3"x4", so much of the detail is lost, including the decals.
I would like to carve a new propeller to match the original one, and am trying to determine which Flottorp decal would've been used. There seem to be two variants in that time period, the "Both Blades Alike" version:
which seems to be common on OX-5 props, so maybe more correct for the 1929 time period, and the "Grand Rapids 6" version:
which I suspect is a later version, so possibly more correct?
Also, can anybody tell me the dimensions of those decals??
In addition, the prop looks quite dark in the photos, almost as if it was painted black. This is long before Flottorp props were black, but has anybody seen 1930s props painted rather than clear varnished? Perhaps it was just a dark wood, mahogony?
Thanks for any help-
-
Comment