Found Prop need help ID

[daveT]

I need help identifying a prop that was found recently. Aircraft parts were recently examined at the Ulupa’u Crater area which is now part of the MCBH Kaneohe Hawaii firing range in an effort to determine their origins. The parts are from approximately May 1949 when the Navy decommissioned and closed NAS, Kaneohe Bay. The parts and wreckage were determined to have come from various types of Navy aircraft known to have operated from NAS Kaneohe Bay during WWII. The prop was dumped into a gully. The only number found on the side was SK 17070 100. The blades measure 7 feet each. I think it may be from a PBM aircraft. See attached pictures.

[syscom3]

I ownder if it is a R-3350 or R-4360?

[FLYBOYJ]

I think its a 3350. There should be a data plate on the front of the engine.

[daveT]

No engine is attached to the prop. No data plate. The prop is from a NAVY plane. It could of been attached to a 3350. What I'm trying to deterine what Navy planes it was used on and any other info about the prop.

[Micdrow]

Well it couldnt have come from a PBM then if its a 3350, the PBM used the the R-2600-22 with three blades in the beginning and then in later models went to the R-2800-34 with 4 blades.

[model299]

Could that be from a Curtis Helldiver? One of the few planes to keep the spinners on past the early models. Right number of blades, and the spinner shape looks right.

[Micdrow]

Originally Posted by model299

Could that be from a Curtis Helldiver? One of the few planes to keep the spinners on past the early models. Right number of blades, and the spinner shape looks right.

Wish we new for sure the engine model, If from what we are looking at is indeed a 3350 then that would also rule out the helldiver and the Curtis Seahawk. The helldiver started out with the R-2600 and later went to the R-2800. The sea hawk had the R-1820 with 4 blades.

If it is a 3350 then Im wondering if this is the prop and engine from a early model Skyraider. The proto flew for the first time on March 18, 1945. From the comments above the parts could be from 1947 which means it could fit into the puzzle. Currently looking for the radius of the propeller for a skyraider. If its 14' the this could be are bird because the blades are 7 feet long.

Best I can give at the moment

[Micdrow]

Well depending on how accurate his dimentions are and the data here is the radius.

Powered by a 2,500 HP R-3350-24W engine turning a 4-bladed 13.5 foot prop the AD-1 Skyraider was capable of carrying 4,000 pounds of bombs and/or wing loaded rockets.

Only thing that blows the therory is the cap, I havent seen a skyraider with a cap. May if you can remove it then compare it with the front of a skyraider picture. Cap could have been removed in later models.

[GaryMcL]

The P-2 went into service in 1947 with 3350s and 14' four blade props. I think they used a cap or small spinner. Might be worth a look there too.

Gary

[daveT]

Thanks for all the inputs. After reviewing the possibilities and looking at photos of the various aircraft I believe the prop came from a PBM-5 Martin Mariner and was attached to a 2800-34 engine. I believe this because of the way the blades are tappered and the tip design. I was fooled by the early PBM versions that only had 3 bladed props. I have documentation that PBMs were at NAS Kaneohe around the time period. Thanks again to all who contributed. See attached photos of PBM aircraft

[DOUGRD]

I'm not too sure about all this. No one has explained the "cooling fins" aft of the prop hub in the second picture. They have the look of compressor blades like a jet engine. They aren't but they look very much like them. Also this prop assembly had some sort of fairing on the aft side because those neat little holes are for Camloc fasteners. I think the blade shape especially near the hub is wrong for a P-5M. No blade cuff either.??????

[daveT]

I believe the blade cuffs were for anti ice, which may not be needed in Hawaii. The cuffs are missing from the props in the dump which may make them appear different from P-5M. I think the prop hub is very similar. A total of three props were found in the dump site. The pictures were of the best looking one of the three. The blades were hollow. The blades may have been shop equipment or shop spares and were probably dumped there when the base closed in 1948. I have explaination for the cooling fins. This prop may be recovered and put on a historic display at the base. If that happens I'll get a better look at the back side. I can find no other Navy plane that fits the profile.