June 24, 2008 at 10:25 am
I’m an Aviation Forum virgin so trying it out for first time!
I have a wooden prop blade which I am keen to identify as to type and would welcome advice.
I am pretty certain it’s a Rotol-manufactured blade (RA stamp) but it’s lost its plastic sheath so no external markings except on base. Here is stamped JP226278 and RA1011?JC. (?= undecipherable figure or letter). Does anyone know the list of Rotol drawing numbers?
For the record this came from a ditch in Yorkshire 35 plus years ago, supposedly from a wartime crash site, but I’d have thought the fact that it is not broken (but is a bit frayed round the edges) and that it appears to have been deliberately dismantled from the boss, would suggest not a crash.
It’s laminated softwood and has no leading edge metal sheath. Also it has an unusually sharp “shoulder”.
Thanks in advance!
By: RNickR - 24th June 2008 at 13:21
Thanks Anne, that’s really helpful. Interestingly the ditch from whence it came is close to a Halifax crash landing (400-500yds), so Halifax it could be. I have gone through dozens of pictures of Halifax prop blades but can’t find one with such a pronounced “shoulder” close to the hub. If I knew how to insert a photo in this message I’d show you what I mean!
Nick
By: anneorac - 24th June 2008 at 12:15
And the contenders are…
RA10112 or 3, Halifax
RA10115 or 6, Spitfire IX
RA10117, Oxford
RA10118, Buckingham
Not sure if that helps at all…
Anne