Propeller Identification

[stuartbowes]

Dear All,

I have 3 large propellers in storage. All are very heavy and made from a dark wood.

There are 2 x two blade propellers, one is approximately 6ft and the other is 8ft. Both of these have 8 holes drilled in them and metal edging to the blades.

The other propeller has 4 blades and the number 1201N100. This also has 8 holes.

I sincerely apologise for the poor photos. There is no electricity or windows in the stores where they are kept. Also the propellers have not been cleaned and are covered in decades of dust. However on inspection they all appear in sound condition.

Could any experts reading this advise what kind of propeller they are - and do they have any value? I am based in the UK!

[stuartbowes]

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[Dbahnson]

The two 2-blade props look like they have had the sheathing added after manufacture. It doesn't look like factory sheathing.

The 4-blade is likely from an early pusher aircraft, possibly British manufacture.

It's impossible to identify them beyond that without drawing or design numbers, which should be stamped on the hub areas.

[stuartbowes]

Thanks - I’m not familiar with the term ‘pusher aircraft’ - what era would this be?

I’ll examine the hubs closer and look for more distinguishing marks!

[Dbahnson]

"Tractor" aircraft have the propeller mounted in front of the engine and "pull" the aircraft. "Pusher" has the engine mounted in the other direction. Since the same engine models were typically used in both configurations, the propeller for a pusher needs to be a reverse thread (not unlike a bolt). The most common thread for most engines is "right hand", but your 4-blade is "left hand" rotation, at least suggesting a pusher application

I'm guessing that the 4-blade is WW1 era. I can't tell enough about the others to guess when they were manufactured, but I suspect both were later models.

[Bob Gardner]

Stuart,

Where are these props stored? If anywhere near South Yorkshire, GB, I can come and see if I can find the data on them. (The last time I made this offer, the props in question were in Australia!)

The four bladed prop has the elegant and slender look of a propeller designed by the Royal Aircraft Factory around 1915-1916 for a FE2B aircraft. The use of Irish Linen covering three quarters of the blade length again suggests the Royal Aircraft Factory and the year 1917. The data you are looking for will have a drawing number beginning with the letter T. Also the diameter and pitch will be stamped. There will often be a batch number giving a unique identity, such as G123 N75 (this is an apocryphal number.)

The two bladed props seem to be short and stubby and might not be for a military aircraft.

With kind regards,

Bob

[stuartbowes]

Hi Bob - I have sent you a message to the email address on your aeroclocks web page.

Kindest regards

Stuart

[stuartbowes]

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