NZ...Spitfire landing accident (Today 15 Jan '09) Crew OK.

[Jack Cook]

Wasthis the a/c that was paint in very cool 52nd FG markings from North Africa??

[brucev]

is anyone currently making the wood blades?

You'll like this.

For a good number of years now all Spitfire blades have all been made in Germany by Hoffman.

PeterA

ironic eh!

[DaveM2]

Wasthis the a/c that was paint in very cool 52nd FG markings from North Africa??

Jack

Check your CW 66 for this one- it's on the cover.

Dave

[mrhenniger]

Likely the biggest delay they will experience in returning this one to the air will be getting a replacement prop.

I'd say I'll be the gear being twisted, folding forward, bent ect and of course it's support structure within the wing.

Good point.

Mike

[mrhenniger]

Although this sounds great I don't think so.
These prop blades are designed to absorb brutal forces and not fail. Running into the ground isn't one of them.
Even with a wood blade the engine is subject to a ground strike inspection.
There are also inspections on parts that are known to have failed in the past in the MLG systems. The pintle or trunion the gear pivots on, the studs that bolt the trunion to the wing and an fork that holds the down lock pin are among those parts known to fail. Any could have caused this type of accident or have failed during any kind of load.

Iteresting. Thanks.

Mike

[PeterA]

is anyone currently making the wood blades?

You'll like this.

For a good number of years now all Spitfire blades have all been made in Germany by Hoffman.

PeterA

What is the difference in price between the 4 blade and 5 blade ones? How much for each?

Hoffman just supply the blades. Hub, bearings, pitch mechanicals, you have to make your own arrangement with the prop shop.

I would imagine the single blades 4 or 5 are about the same price. I will enquire.

PeterA

ps.

Here is Mk IX/XVI Hoffman blade, showing their logo.... and not 18" away from this computer.

Slightly damaged, in the US, and replaced, it is actually well within spec for repair. Just a souvenir.

P

[P51Mstg]

Peter:

You would have to get Jack Cook in that picture.......

Mark H

[warbird1]

is anyone currently making the wood blades?

You'll like this.

For a good number of years now all Spitfire blades have all been made in Germany by Hoffman.

PeterA

What is the difference in price between the 4 blade and 5 blade ones? How much for each?

Hoffman just supply the blades. Hub, bearings, pitch mechanicals, you have to make your own arrangement with the prop shop.

I would imagine the single blades 4 or 5 are about the same price. I will enquire.

PeterA

ps.

Here is Mk IX/XVI Hoffman blade, showing their logo.... and not 18" away from this computer.

Slightly damaged, in the US, and replaced, it is actually well within spec for repair. Just a souvenir.

P

Awesome, thanks for the info, Peter! I find this extremely fascinating! Lots of questions:

1) What type of wood are the Hoffman prop blades made out of? Is it the same as the original? Is the blade a single piece of wood, or is it a laminate?

2) Does Hoffman have a website? Are there any interesting websites with more info on the production of these new prop blades?

3) How long and how many man-hours does it take to make one blade?

4) Are these blades made using CAD or any type of computer assistance or are they hand-made?

5) Does Hoffman make any other type of warbird blades besides the Spit? For example, do they do any 109 or 190 stuff?

6) I would like to know the price of those blades, if you get a chance.

7) Is Hoffman the only company in the world making new build Spit blades?

8. I heard rumors that Hoffman was going to make the P-82 blades for the CAF's rebuild. Do you have any info on that?

I love that picture of your souvenir, I'm jealous!

Thanks in advance for answering any of the above questions.

[PeterA]

Warbird1

Perhaps better to try here.

http://www.hoffmann-prop.com/

PeterA

[Holedigger]

One of the biggest wood prop makers is Sensenich, in Plant City FL (next to Lakeland). There was a good right up on them in Smithsonian's Air and Space Mag a few years ago. Making props for UAV's and airboats is a big chunk of their business nowadays.

[warbird1]

Warbird1

Perhaps better to try here.

http://www.hoffmann-prop.com/

PeterA

Thanks for the link, Peter A. That answers most of my questions. One final one though - what percentage of the currently airworthy Spitfires are flying on Hoffman blades, vs. the original blades?

[PeterA]

Warbird1

Perhaps better to try here.

http://www.hoffmann-prop.com/

PeterA

Thanks for the link, Peter A. That answers most of my questions. One final one though - what percentage of the currently airworthy Spitfires are flying on Hoffman blades, vs. the original blades?

I can only think of one, my old Seafire XVII SX336 starter kit. It is currently flying with original Dowty-Rotol blades.

PeterA

[warbird1]

Warbird1

Perhaps better to try here.

http://www.hoffmann-prop.com/

PeterA

Thanks for the link, Peter A. That answers most of my questions. One final one though - what percentage of the currently airworthy Spitfires are flying on Hoffman blades, vs. the original blades?

I can only think of one, my old Seafire XVII SX336 starter kit. It is currently flying with original Dowty-Rotol blades.

PeterA

Wow, I had no idea that the Hoffman blades were so prevalent! Only 1 Spit with original prop blades? I would have thought that some of the BoB Memorial Flight birds would have had original blades.

Extremely interesting discussion, Peter A.! Thanks.

[51fixer]

I can only think of one, my old Seafire XVII SX336 starter kit. It is currently flying with original Dowty-Rotol blades.

PeterA

Peter,
This is a Griffon but a 4 blade prop- Correct?
Are these blades the same as the ones in the 5 blade?
If so is this engine running a different gear ration in the nose case?
BTW- Peter is the Spit know it all and a great guy!
This Spifire stuff is so confusing!
Hopefully I'll be learned on it soon.
Rich

[bentwingbomber]

Fighter Collections Spitfire FR 14 MV293 G-SPIT has original blades as well.