Hi All,
Very interesting forum.
I stumbled accross this forum whilst trawling the net for any info on a wooden prop I’ve had knocking around for years …………. thinking of getting around to restoring it some.
Anyhow, reading through some of the previous threads on this subject I believe it to be Rotol type, about five feet long with a heavy steel collar at one end. On it’s base I have been able to find the following number sequences which may be incomplete:
RA10135R
JP247587 (last digit may be something else:confused:)
RA13417
There is also a tiny brass looking plate (or counter weight?) at the base of the prop (at the base of the blade above the neck bit and just above the metal collar). This is stamped with RA1341 (3 may be a 5).
Any help would be appreciated as I’d love to know what this is likely to have been attached to at some point.
I can sort out some pictures if required.
Cheers
John.
By: Wyvernfan - 11th November 2014 at 14:10
Very nice prop, John. My advice is to fix it to a flat base such as a piece of mdf and display it free standing vertically, maybe with a photo of an FR.47 Seafire. It’ll make a great talking point!
Rob
By: Blackdanter - 11th November 2014 at 11:45
Anne,
Wow …………………………………. thank you so much for this!
What a piece of history this turns out to be! Frankly, I’m gobsmacked.
I also had no idea that there was a variant of the Seafire with counter-rotating props which gives me nice line of further research.
I have always been quite resistant to the idea that this prop was Spitfire related but Seafire, and the last in the line!
Again, thank you so much. You’re a total diamond. I just need to figure out now how best to fix this on the wall in my studio.
John
By: anneorac - 11th November 2014 at 08:36
It looks just the right profile for a Griffon Spit prop – but the rotation direction (RH) is incorrect for that application.
But correct if it’s for a counter-rotating prop! RA10135 is the drawing number for the blades of the rear prop used on the Seafire 47.
Anne.
By: Blackdanter - 10th November 2014 at 17:59
Thanks Mike,
That’s intriguing. Forgive my ignorance but how does one tell LH from RH rotation with these?
John
By: Arabella-Cox - 10th November 2014 at 15:59
It looks just the right profile for a Griffon Spit prop – but the rotation direction (RH) is incorrect for that application.
The Trent Meteor had a Spit-type blade profile but I can’t recall which direction it went.
It’s made by Rotol, RA prefix standing for Rotol Airscrews. Hopefully someone will be along soon to i/d the part number and application.
Anon.
By: Blackdanter - 9th November 2014 at 15:54
Afternoon folks,
My attention has returned to this mystery wooden prop again. I thought that posting some pics might prompt some folks to pass comment.
The prop is 146cm in length. The black paint looks original with a lot of wear and fine cracking. The yellow paint at the tip looks good but there seems to be some rough restoration or field repair at the very tip.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]233132[/ATTACH]
Having another look at it, the codes on the base of the boss are:
RA101**R (** looks like either 55 or 35 as only the bottom half of each number is visible)
JP247587
[ATTACH=CONFIG]233131[/ATTACH]
There is a small metal data plate attached which has what looks like RA1341* (* is possibly an obscured number)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]233133[/ATTACH]
Any ideas? I’d love to know what type of aircraft this was likely fitted to.
Thanks in advance.
John
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