Hi Im doing some research for a modelling project, does anyone know the
origin of the three bladed propellers that the two Buchons are fitted with at Duxford, compared to the four bladed type commonly associated with when used in the BoB film. [ which I assume are the original type ]
thanks
Graham
By: JDK - 27th June 2011 at 09:02
I hoped some people with real knowledge would stop by. Thanks gents.
By: Beaufighter VI - 27th June 2011 at 07:42
The hub for the four blade Buchon prop is the same as that used on the four blade Spitfire R12/4F5 prop. so there is a double use making hubs hard to come by but blades available.
By: Roobarb - 26th June 2011 at 21:48
The reason that the original 4 blade props have mostly all been replaced is because they have been destoyed in landing accidents at some point since “the film”. Cut down Dakota props are the normal fit and are an approved mod. The original Dowty 4 blader is very scarce and most are with Connie Edwards at his ranch in Texas. With spares hard to come by and the cost of overhaul unknown it is more practical and cheaper to go the Dak prop route. However you then need to obtain a suitable 3 blade spinner capable of accomodateing the centre prop dome and a matching backplate. CCF Hurricane spinners are the current fashion though those used in the film for static dressing and taxiing used something so far unknown in combination with CASA 2-111D props. G-BJZZ/G-HUNN and G-BOML both used an unknown spinner type. The “cannon nose” on the B of B film 4 blade spinners is a separate cone riveted to a standard Spitfire spinner and can therefore be easily fitted to a Spitfire as was the case on at least one of the two seaters after a nose over incident at Debden. Incidently the Dowty prop is identical to that used on the BP Balliol and Sea Balliol which also had the same engine fit. Some American Buchons have been fitted with more rounded spinners to supposedly mimic a 109F/G spinner but look unconvincing in my opinion. There should be one at Legends in a couple of weeks to do a visual comparison with.
Here’s a rare original Buchon spinner with the film cone modification clearly visible.
By: Arabella-Cox - 24th June 2011 at 17:53
3-bladers vs 4-blade props
Probably something to do with the fact that the 3-bladers are cheaper and easier to find – as well as going some way towards looking a bit more like an original 109.
Anon.
By: T J Johansen - 24th June 2011 at 14:34
I’ve also wondered about the 3 vs 4 bladed props. Are there any particular reason the current fliers are going for the 3 bladed example? Apart from it looking more like a 109!
T J
By: JDK - 24th June 2011 at 13:10
The four blade is indeed the original Spanish type. For modelling purposes, (and I believe in reality*) DC-3 / Dak props (for P&W) are the same.
*Awaiting check by those who make the real thing work…
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June 24, 2011 at 12:51 pm