Trying to find out more about RR Griffon and four blade Rotol prop installations. Griffon 61 fitted with a 12′ 6″ diameter four blade prop. Was this a normal installation? Prop Type XH54J. Was this type of hub fitted to any particular type or was it a one-off?
By: Mustang51 - 29th September 2013 at 21:05
Rotol Props
Mk II and V, 10′ 9″ at most. But later marks, different undercarriage arrangement and different thrust line with a Griffon.. so different calculation. Still, these changes would have to have put the hub centre 3 1/2 inches higher to give any clearance at all, and 10 1/2 to maintain the original clearance. That would result in a funny looking spitfire – almost certainly not a Spitfire prop you have there.
Many thanks guys. Does the prop type in full ie, XH54J-RG-MB meann anything more? Is there anyone out there in Forumland who may know of a prop shop that deals with Rotol props from the war or immediate post war years who could possibly add to the conversation?
By: Beermat - 29th September 2013 at 18:21
Mk II and V, 10′ 9″ at most. But later marks, different undercarriage arrangement and different thrust line with a Griffon.. so different calculation. Still, these changes would have to have put the hub centre 3 1/2 inches higher to give any clearance at all, and 10 1/2 to maintain the original clearance. That would result in a funny looking spitfire – almost certainly not a Spitfire prop you have there.
By: mike currill - 29th September 2013 at 13:21
The Griffon 61 powered the Spitfire Mk.22 and 24, but these are 5 blade with 10ft 11in props. Earlier Griffon Spitfires had 10ft 5in props: 12 ft 6in would appear to be far too large for ground clearance on this type.
Perhaps someone could point to another aircraft type powered by a Griffon 61, perhaps a twin with a higher wing? Other Griffon types did include the Barracuda but that was a Griffon 37. How about a Firefly? A prototype did have a Griffon 61: although a photo shows a 3-blade prop this could have been altered. Production aircraft had Griffon 70-series engines.
I agree with your point about the 12ft 6in prop and ground clearance. Quite where I read it I can’t remember but I vaguely remember a remark that the ground clearance on a MkII/V in flying attitude was about 7″ though I have no idea what the diameter of their props was.
By: Mr Merry - 27th September 2013 at 17:22
All I can find on the web is Spitfire MkXIV, Seafang F.Mk 31, using the Griffon 61.
By: Beermat - 27th September 2013 at 17:08
Truculent – rare drawings of VDM spinners as well in that publication. Know of any more like this? Maybe DH?
I was going to say Firefly as well.. silly question but are you sure it’s not a Griffon 74? Firefly IV?
By: MerlinPete - 27th September 2013 at 16:59
There was a prototype Beaufighter with Griffons.
They may have been earlier than the 60 series I think.
Pete
By: Graham Boak - 27th September 2013 at 16:51
The Griffon 61 powered the Spitfire Mk.22 and 24, but these are 5 blade with 10ft 11in props. Earlier Griffon Spitfires had 10ft 5in props: 12 ft 6in would appear to be far too large for ground clearance on this type.
Perhaps someone could point to another aircraft type powered by a Griffon 61, perhaps a twin with a higher wing? Other Griffon types did include the Barracuda but that was a Griffon 37. How about a Firefly? A prototype did have a Griffon 61: although a photo shows a 3-blade prop this could have been altered. Production aircraft had Griffon 70-series engines.
By: Truculent AME - 27th September 2013 at 15:34
Mustang51
Some nice Rotol Propeller Cutaways here; http://freebee.ucoz.com/load
Truc
By: Beaufighter VI - 27th September 2013 at 08:43
Spitfire F.XII Griffon IIB or III Rotol R13/4F5/5 & 6, four blades, Dia. 10′ 5″.
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September 27, 2013 at 3:47 am