Warbird Information Exchange

We in Europe have become accustomed now to seeing the ex PoF Mk XIX Spitfire PS890, converted to contra-prop by Steve Hinton, perform the most alarming 'pull ups' on take off. Free from gyroscopic precession and torque effects, Jean-Marc Poincin has captured the moment in this splendid image.

PeterA

Hughes nearly bought the farm in the XF-11 because he decided to fly on the spur of the moment. One of the propeller gearboxes had a small leak that had to be topped off after a few ground runs. The maintenance crew had not filled the oil reservoir before he decided to go flying. (They had no idea he intended to launch when he did.) After flying for a little while, the oil was depleted, the prop went haywire, and down they went. The crew tried to contact him by radio to warn him, without success, if I recall.

Scott

I believe Steve Hinton modified the feathering system on the Spitfire XIX so that a smilar engine failure will hopefully not be so immediately catastrophic as it was with Red Baron.

Whatever, the XIX looks and sounds great on the European circuit.

Can Precious Metal avoid the same problem as Red Baron, anybody know?

Here's the experimental XF4U-4 with a contra-prop in 1944. Sure would have looked different on the carrier deck!

Enjoy the Day! Mark

Don't forget one of the more long-lived contras, the Fairey Gannett (home-made ugly, but it worked!)

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Bob

Seafire 47 VP441, based in Montana, also utilises a Griffon 58 and cut down contra-prop from an Avro Shackleton.

This de Haviland prop, unlike the original factory fit Dowty-Rotol unit, has full feathering facility for its prime multi engine task.

To extend the glide in the event of an engine failure on the Seafire, Ezell Aviation incorporated the full feathering, with emergency button...see ringed in Magenta.

PeterA

Much better looking than the Gannet and they had a pretty successful career until overtaken by the pure jets.

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"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass..."
Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto

Ah, another out of the mists of time - the Wyvern. Built by Westand, wasn't it?

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Bob