AircraftOwner Online

     Some of you may know that I am really into vintage aircraft. One of the challenges to keeping these old aircraft flying is, as you might imagine, finding new or serviceable parts. 

     Having taken on quite a few vintage restoration projects, one of the most difficult components to find are ground adjustable aluminum propellers.  If you have a ship that needs those – particularly the longer ones – good luck.   

     “Back in the day” when ground adjustable props were used on nearly every larger aircraft, they came new from the factory measuring up to 120” in the hub. Now finding blade and hub combinations of more that 102” +/- is difficult. And when you do find them they are very, very pricy. I have seen people asking more than $16,000 for a prop/hub combination. And then what are you getting? 

     What you are getting are almost always well used blades that are around 80 years old. The blades you are buying have most likely been cut down from their original length.  In the last 80 years they have also probably been in more than one accident requiring they be straightened, honed, sanded, etc.  It’s hard to tell because it seems the log books seldom go back more than 10 to 20 years. Plus, it’s hard to find a shop what will do more that sprinkle holly water on them and give you a statement that says “they look nice.” 

     There is some good news. This is about to change. A European propeller company has agreed to make brand new, forged aluminum, ground adjustable blades from in two sizes: one for lower powered engines and one for the higher powered motors. What’s more, they are also looking at making new hubs. 

     When this gets done, it will extend the opportunity to fly many vintage aircraft more than any other single act. You can get engine parts and you can make all the elements of aircraft structures but, you simply can’t make new forged aluminum props.   

     If you are interested in this project, let me know and I will put you on an e-mail list I am developing to keep interested parties informed. This is an exciting and important project for the preservation of flying vintage aircraft.