Found A Swordfish Propeller…in California!

Blackjet you have a pm

Hi Blackjet

I emailed you too! Still after any 3D40’s – if anyone else out there has any we’d be interested too.

Matt

its worth more than a few Spitfire spade grips I think.

It`s all about supply and demand, so someone has to want it first. Then it needs to be tested to see if it`s actually any good to use. If you advertise it as-is for a load of money then it won`t sell, it`s not collectable enough for that, it`s more specific, in my opinion.

Pete

It’s not worth more than a few Spitfire spade grips! I bought one in the U.K four years ago for £500 for a museum. It was in better condition than the one pictured and had both hub pieces. They are nice pieces but not in massive demand. I would suggest finding a Swordfish owner who is looking for a static item and selling it that way. Its a rewarding feeling to see something hanging on the front of an aircraft as opposed to being stuck on a wall.

For now only the Swordfish propeller is available. The rest of the propellers, blades and hubs need to be correctly identified before they are assigned to storage, or sale. It is certain that the oddities will be sold off, such as this one, good raw material for the industry may be kept or sold later. The propeller blades are valuable, and generally seem in good condition. They will not sell for scrap value. The swordfish propeller is not corroded, has only surface scratches, and would make a tremendous static or perhaps spare blades for a flyer. I will put it on my wall, as art!, should it not find a buyer. I have never seen one before, and know the buyer will not likely see another one. It’s not worth a ton of money, but its worth more than a few Spitfire spade grips I think. If this sells we will get into the American stuff….

Californian propellers

There are some nice historic props in that pile. Not just the Swordfish one but I think I can i/d Thunderbolt and possibly Marauder (Curtiss) as well as C-47/DC-3.

Probably none fit for flight but it looks like they have been stripped from a collection of museum aircraft and replaced by better examples, perhaps?

Nonetheless, some interesting and scarce static examples – or even ground runners – could be made up from that lot. Do we know if there are any hubs to go with these props?

Interested.

Anon.

The Santa Monica Swordfish is on static display at CAF headquarters in Midland, TX. The wings in Colorado were probably for this same airplane as they were the ones that did the restoration.

There were a pair of swordfish wings at Ray Middletons in Fort Collins a couple of years ago being re-covered not sure where they went but it was for a static i believe.

Mike Pannell

The Santa Monica Swordfish went to the Arizona Wing of the CAF, although as far as i’m aware they had no plans to restore it to fly and were keeping it as a static exhibit.

There was a swordfish in California not just the prop as the museum of flying in Santa Monica had the fuselage of one hanging from the ceiling.

Not sure if it has gone to the new location though.

curlyboy

Yes you’re right- I photographed it there at the time. Not sure where it is now but by 2005 I see that it had moved here (credit for photo is in the link) : http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1060396/

There was a swordfish in California not just the prop as the museum of flying in Santa Monica had the fuselage of one hanging from the ceiling.

Not sure if it has gone to the new location though.

curlyboy

Prop

That’s great, A.M., thanks.

As I say, it would make sense to do it that way rather than have a bl**dy great sheet of ally to stamp out.

I wonder if they have got these clamp rings with the California prop?

Anon.

Sorry, I should have said I thought they were 3-piece, rather than speaking factually!

Pete

Edit: Because my APs are at work!

You can’t have too many A.P.s…:)

Two hubs clamp it all together.

Swordy prop

It was a one-piece prop. Were the pieces welded together then?

It would make sense to do that if only to save on material. However, the (intact) props I have seen are all-in-one.

Anon.

No, definitely not airworthy.

The Swordfish prop was a one-piece Fairey design made from a single piece of one-inch-thick sheet alloy. This example has been cut to make it more portable.

Some nice Hamilton and Curtiss blades lying around there, blackjet604. Pity they have been left outside to go rusty. Any idea of prices?

Anon.

They caught my eye too!

The 3 blade Fairey-Reed propeller was usually made in 3 pieces, it looks right to be. The two blade version was indeed made from one piece of metal.

Pete

Blackjet, you have a pm.

Swordfish prop

No, definitely not airworthy.

The Swordfish prop was a one-piece Fairey design made from a single piece of one-inch-thick sheet alloy. This example has been cut to make it more portable.

Some nice Hamilton and Curtiss blades lying around there, blackjet604. Pity they have been left outside to go rusty. Any idea of prices?

Anon.

Its undoubtedy came out of Canada and that is probably the most likely place where it belongs again! As for being anywhere near airworthy -very unlikely looking at the corrosion in the holes! That should reflect in the price!