4 bladed props

richardc7 · 06-30-2008, 03:08 PM

Many WW2 birds were sporting 4 bladed props at the end of the war. Anyone know why?

FLYBOYJ · 06-30-2008, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardc7

Many WW2 birds were sporting 4 bladed props at the end of the war. Anyone know why?

Based on higher HP engines, engineers determined that on some aircraft hey were able to get the maximum thrust efficency from a 4 blade propeller.

SoD Stitch · 06-30-2008, 06:11 PM

The late Marks of Spitfire (those with the larger Griffon engines, in particular) even had five-bladers by the end of the War.

ccheese · 07-01-2008, 02:33 PM

I've got a pic of a bf-109 [actually a HA-1009] with a RR Merlin in it
sporting a four bladed prop !!

Charles

krieghund · 07-06-2008, 11:25 AM

a three blade prop has a higher efficency but the diameter of the prop to accept the greater HP would exceed the length of the landing gear so the only way around was to add more prop blades. However, there are some sources that claim that a four blade is more efficent at high altitude.

Hope that helped