By: T-21 - 29th January 2011 at 06:15
A belated thank you to all especially the photos. Grey seems to be the colour so I will go with that.
By: anneorac - 28th January 2011 at 08:31
At a guess I’d say the blades are fabric covered and painted battleship grey which was pretty standard for the time while the hub is left uncovered. On many surviving props the grey almost looks green or brown due to the varnish yellowing over time. Also remember that many props which adorn walls in bars, offices and the like have had the fabric removed to make them more aesthetically pleasing.
Anne
By: Phillip Rhodes - 28th January 2011 at 03:33
According to Airfix the propellers on the HP42 should be painted in G9 Dark Brown :O)
By: John Aeroclub - 27th January 2011 at 22:54
Most airscrews by the 30’s were painted in a fine cellulose finish (over fabric). probably grey or cream.
John
By: keithnewsome - 27th January 2011 at 19:45
A couple of older, not very good quality, photos I am lucky enough to have access to ….
Keith.
By: AdlerTag - 27th January 2011 at 19:28
I can’t say as my word is exactly gospel on this subject, but from what I’ve seen the props were usually coated in some way. The picture on the link below shows ‘Heracles’ with what appear to be light grey or silver props, highly polished.
http://www.corbisimages.com/images/67/D177CB93-3660-47BA-A47E-2C64C4BAC3B7/HU002606.jpg
I’m not doubting EGTE’s word, but it’s a fact that alot of display props have lost their laquer or fabric coverings as people seem to prefer the look of the wood.
By: EGTE - 27th January 2011 at 19:12
There was an HP.42 propeller which was hung from the ceiling in the Exeter Flying Club for many years until fairly recently. It was natural wood.
It came from G-AAXD Horatius which force landed near Tiverton in 1939.
Wikipedia has this propellor on display at the Croydon Airport visitors centre these days.
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January 27, 2011 at 2:31 pm