Thunderbolt propellers?

I have noticed on a few P-47's two different prop types. I'm not a prop guy so can anyone explain what the differences are and which one is a better performer? Look on my "CAF P-47's" thread at the photo of all 6 parked on the ramp then look at the link to some of them today. Notice the different propellers. I tend to like the older prop to the newer one. Any prop experts out there?

[Elroy13]

The P-47 had the Curtiss electric props now days most everyone runs the Hamilton Standards... someone will correct me if im wrong. The Ham Stands are more widely used and I would guess that it would be harder to find parts for the Curtiss props or just props period.

Last edited by Elroy13 on Mon Nov 26, 2007 6:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[mike furline]

These would be the Curtiss Electric (pointy dome) and the Hamilton Standard propellers. Both were original equipment on P-47's, depended on which version you had.

I've never worked on a Curtiss prop, heard they can be tempermental.

My guess would be in todays restorations the Ham. Stand. is more user friendly and parts are easier to find.

Regards,
Mike

[Dan K]

Classic wartime pic of a mixed bag of Ham-Stand's and Curtiss in the same squadron:

http://images.suite101.com/197859_p47pict1780.jpg

[B17news]

This was in my wife's dad's stuff:

[DanteC]

Wasn't it Gabreski that said a T-Bolt with the Ham Stand would walk away from one with either of the Curtiss Electric props? Could have sworn I read that somewhere.

Dante

[DanteC]

Wasn't it Gabreski that said a T-Bolt with the Ham Stand would walk away from one with either of the Curtiss Electric props? Could have sworn I read that somewhere.

Dante

[John Ceglarek]

I think there might be confusion between the prop operating system (Hamilton vs Curtiss) and the prop blade design. I remember reading in Bob Johnson's book that the paddle bladed props gave much better performance. I don't think that the paddle blades were specific to one type of prop...can someone confirm or deny?

John