On Sat, 9 Dec 2000, Andrew Fildes wrote:
> >When did spitfires get five bladed props? The model I built (ages ago) only
> >had a three bladed prop.
> >
> >Steve Goss, Dallas Tx usa
>
> The early models had a three blade prop and wing monted machine guns. The
> later models (and there were over 20 versions) had a five blade prop and
> 20mm canon fitted. This is a 1945 model. I want it - badly.
> Andrew
The reason for this being engine power. The mark 1 had a 900hp normally
aspirated Merlin, mark 19 (IIRC) had a 2000hp turbocharged Griffon.
There's only 2 ways to turn that amount of power into thrust use a
bigger diameter propeller (ground clearance problems, tips have to go
supersonic) or more blades. The ultimate extension of this logic, I
suppose would be the Faery Gannet - two contra-rotating propellers
driven by one engine, but that's straying too far OT even for this list.
--
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