Further to the prop size being the reason for the Beau nose. A standard Ventura seems to have the prop tip passing very close to the nose, probably the result of being developed from the smaller engined Lodestar. A Jane's reference I found quoted the Constellation as having massive 15' 6" diameter three blade props. If you put a pair of these on a Ventura without moving the engines the prop tips would go close to touching. I suspect smaller blades were used on the Ventellation but still ones long enough that the nose had to shortened.
_________________ Chris Mellor
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