Moggy C and ChristiaanJ, thanks for showing me that I hadn’t completely ‘lost it’ with the passage of time the regarding tip speeds of the good ole’ Grey Lady.

contrailjj, another boring piece of info, again IIRC, the area where greatest noise is heard from a propeller is within a 15 dergee arc of the propeller tips, perpendecular from the propshaft, i.e. to the side. (hence the old one about ‘how do you identify a Shack co-pilot? He can only hear you with his left ear, How do you identify a Shack captain? He can’t hear you.’) Also IIRC, there was a Gannet AEW that was used a few years ago carrying out noise sampling trials. I seem to remember it was fitted with a VERY long probe from the (port?) wing leading edge. The mike was fitted to the end of this probe ajacent to the propeller tips. I think it was all part of the trials for the now defunct ‘Propfan’ development going on, both in the West and the East. Why defunct? Unacceptable noise levels. They were very efficient, but were also VERY LOUD.

25deg south, the rear propellers on the ‘Shacklebomber’ were about six inches less in diameter, but to ensure they still created equal thrust as the front ones, they were slightly ‘paddle blade’ shaped. Can’t remember if there was a difference in pitch. Sorry, just too long ago.