Propellor dredged from sea, Moray Firth …

Years ago I had a prop hub recovered from the sea, it was a Merlin engine four blade, but a significantly larger hub than Spitfire; it was identified by Dowty Rotol as Halifax coastal command, Apparently because it had wooden blades, but did other Halifax use metal four blades?

In the meantime, does anyone know of anywhere that might be interested in taking this prop? If not, it’ll be broken up and scrapped with all the rest of the junk in the yard.

I seem to recall a museum in lossiemouth, down by the harbour, that had lots of old objects in it. I think your nearest air museum is in Inverness. Otherwise, it would make an interesting garden ornament?

Thank you, folks.

My friendly scrap dealer did say that the skipper had dredged up another proellor too – although I’m not sure whether that was at the same time or historic. It was apparently too big to keep on the deck – but, again, I don’t know if that might have been because it had all 4 blades and was therefore a more inconvenient size and shape overall.

Sounds like I may have to have a wee trip down to Peterhead to find the relevant boat and make further enquiries!

In the meantime, does anyone know of anywhere that might be interested in taking this prop? If not, it’ll be broken up and scrapped with all the rest of the junk in the yard.

…and some had four blades too :stupid:- but they were ALL wooden blades, which this prop definitely hasn’t!

Look at those big rounded tips – it’s definitely off of a Firefly. Rotation’s correct for Griffon, too.

Anon.

Thanks Mike
So the difference is the rounded tips.

Btw, direction of rotation is not a deciding factor in this case as the starboard prop on a hornet rotates the same direction as the griffon.

Great find.

…and some had four blades too :stupid:- but they were ALL wooden blades, which this prop definitely hasn’t!

Look at those big rounded tips – it’s definitely off of a Firefly. Rotation’s correct for Griffon, too.

Anon.

Griffon Seafires had 5-blade or contra-props

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(Photo Wiki) Nice find though!

Rob

Griffon Seafires had 5-blade or contra-props. These blades are too long for a Spitfire/Seafire with a much shorter u/c.

Spits with four-blade props used the smaller (Rotol) hub.

Sea Hornet used the de-Havilland prop.

Anon.

To the uneducated, please could you point out the differences between the two makes of metal prop blades of same rotational direction and, similar diameter?
One sea hornet ditched in that area too.

More to the point, Seafire used wooden blades!

Griffon Seafires had 5-blade or contra-props. These blades are too long for a Spitfire/Seafire with a much shorter u/c.

Spits with four-blade props used the smaller (Rotol) hub.

Sea Hornet used the de-Havilland prop.

Anon.

Sea Hornet?
Starboard engine.

What about Griffon powered Seafire, they were stationed at Lossiemouth for quite a while.

Firefly – Griffon/Rotol.

Prop not under power but windmilling when it hit the water. Engine failure or fuel exhaustion and ditched, this may help tie it down to a particular aircraft i/d.

Anon.

Looks about right for a Merlin / Griffon reduction-gear. You can rule-out anything with a Bristol (piston) engine; the reduction-gear is completely wrong for that.

4 bladed.. firefly??