Hi,

As the twin spinners campaign is coming up next month, I did some searching to find replacement propellers for that 1:72 Blenheim I'm going to build. (flat, crude moldings for prop blades, to be superglued to resin hubs with butt-joints, not the most ideal solution...)
Anyway, Hamilton standard is the type I need, but which one?

Here's what my Hannants "hamilton" search brought up. Tricky, as none of the product descriptions mention Blenheims as possible users.

I asked this same question at one Finnish forum and someone mentioned that Aeroclub PO17 might be the one I'm looking for. Or is it time to start measuring the kit parts and comparing them to photos to determine the right type with correct spin directions?

Does anyone have references nearby and could help me out choosing the right propellers?

well, as far as the spin direction, they go the same direction (both are clockwise as you look from the front of the plane back).

as to the manufacturer or what type - I can't help much there right now, though De Havilland sticks in my mind as the maker more than Hamilton Standard does (can't trust my memory to be correct on detail that fine though).

I may be able to help later, as I have a couple references on the type at home that might have some info on the props.

Ah, I see the de Havilland prop may be a license built Hamilton Standard. Still, that info might help you find the right type...

In "The Bristol Blenheim, A Complete History," by Graham Warner (a 654 page tome on the Blenheim!) there are four indexed references to Hamilton-Standard. The last, on page 117, states that De Havilland "went on to manufacture tens of thousands of DH propellers; they were fitted to most wartime aircraft, including of course the Blenheim..." These propellers were produced by De Havilland under license from Hamilton-Standard, after Bristol failed to produce its own variable pitch props.

Regards,
Ted Culotta

Thanks. I'd be grateful if you could take a look at your references.

I think I have an idea of type of props I'm needing. It's the earlier, pointed Hamilton Standard. Looks like this:
The diameter of the propeller arc should be around 3,25 meters. (That's the diameter of the wooden props used on Finnish Blenheims, and comparing photographs of planes with each type, sizes seem to match)

There's some aeroclub props labeled "Hydro", I assume these are of the later, broad-tipped kind? (I really wish they'd have photos of their products, even on their own site...)
Even though the diameter of Aeroclub's ABP017 (12' ) is a little larger than 3,25m, they'll probably be my choice, since I've been told that they're the right type.
I'll hold with my order in case you find something in your references. (this isn't a super-urgent case)

ok, i'll look into it tonight and see if they say anything.

worse case scenario - get those you mentioned and trim them down a bit if you must have the absolute right size.

-v-

well, the best of my references for this topic says, "...driving D.H. three bladed hydrodynamic airscrews", i.e.De Havilland variable pitch blades, which we already knew.

sorry i couldn't be more help.

Now I have the right product code: ABP021, Hamilton standards license-made by De Havilland.
According to the blokes over at IPMS Finland's forums, this is the prop set I need.

Thanks for your help here too.