P-40E Shirley II Question

[Jack Cook]

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/p40registry/p40-ak753.html
While looking at the photos in the registry I noticed something odd.
If you look closely the prop/spinner seem to be set farther forward
than the standard P-40 set-up or in plain engish "a big' gap" is there.
Is something amis or is this because it sports a HS prop and
not a Curtiss electric?

[Chad Veich]

I've often wondered the same thing Jack. I think I even asked about it on this board some years back. No answer was forthcoming, hopefully the results will be better this time around.

[Warbird Kid]

Not able to shed anymore light on the topic but I've also wondered about this as well.

[John Beyl]

I was told that was a "quick and dirty" get ya by. The spinner and backing plate were not P-40 at all. Odd how only a few people ever caught that big gap between the spinner and cowl. I think you can bank the day's pay that the rebuild will not be sporting the same spinner and backing plate!

[John-Curtiss Paul]

It's a fabricated spinner and backing plate that was made to fit the Ham-standard set up. If you look closely, you will notice that the diameter of the rear of the spinner is larger than the diameter of the front of the cowling. It looks to me that if they had extended the spinner all the way back to the cowling than the overlap would have been HUGE and probably would effect the airflow into the carb intake scoop on the top cowl.

[Jack Cook]

Thanks J-C!
I wonder if there are any other flying with the HS?

[Mick Grinter]

Lot of guys going for the Ham Standard these days they are cheaper and perform better.Don't know what the cowls are but they are not E cowls and the stacks are K or N.May not be an E fuse the light is missing.Don't know Correct me.

[John-Curtiss Paul]

Who are the "lot of guys" and how does the Ham-standard perform better? Curtiss Electric props perform wonderfully and can be controlled manually or with the governor. They don't leak oil and you can still control pitch with a total loss of oil pressure....very desirable features. Ours have been basically trouble free for almost 40 years.

As far a cheaper goes, why spend the time and money restoring an airplane worth that much money and than put the wrong propeller set up on it?

[Mick Grinter]

Because deep down they are all scrooges. Curtis Electric'c are verry expensive.