What's new
Van's Air Force

Don't miss anything! Register now for full access to the definitive RV support community.

Prop Identification

Russ54

Member
I recently acquired a three blade ground adjustable prop that has no markings on it as to who made it. The only marks are on the inside as to insure that the prop gets reassembled with the blades in the same socket. The last 1/3 rd of each blade is covered with glass and the overall construction is beautiful. I have done some research and have reason to believe it is a Bernie or Maggie Warnke prop.
I have several questions about the prop.
1. Does anyone have any information that they can share?
2. With regards to the band clamps. How tight should the 3/8 bolts on the band clamps be torqued?

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/677x508q90/812/3m6z.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/677x508q90/706/1cif.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/381x508q90/855/kkq9.jpg

Russ
RV9-A N1909K
 
Russ,
I don't have any specific info for you about the prop, but I do have a concern.
It looks like the hub halves are made of wood?
It looks like the front face of the hub has indentations from bolt compression? If so this makes me a bit nervous, particularly if you are considering putting this on a lycoming. They have pretty abusive power pulses (particularly the O-360)

I have been around RV's for a long time and have seen a lot of different props, but this one is not at all familiar. There could be a very good (read that as BAD) reason production never got beyond a few being made.
Please use great caution if you decide to fly behind it. A failed propeller... even one with lighter weight wood blades is a very serious situation. I know of quite a few off airport landings that occurred while testing unproven propellers. One of them was Van himself when he experienced a failure of a one off experimental prop many years ago.
 
+1

Wow,Scott is very reserved in his Caution! I don't know what this was for,I'd think an ultra light of some sort. This is not suitable for any RV and from the photos posted not airworthy.It will look cool hanging on a wall and one day somebody might have a story to tell about it. If you don't know what it is and where it came from there is no way you should intrust your life to it!
RHill
 
Not Airworthy!

Russ,
I have a 2 blade like yours made by Bernie Warnke. Mine is on a shelf! I'm not sure how many were produced, but from what I understand they were for VW auto conversions. Like others have said, It's a great conversation piece and wall hanger.
 
Ceiling Fan

Russ,
I have a 2 blade like yours made by Bernie Warnke. Mine is on a shelf! I'm not sure how many were produced, but from what I understand they were for VW auto conversions. Like others have said, It's a great conversation piece and wall hanger.



Ceiling Fan maby?


Thanks for the replies.

It looks like I have three options.
1, Wall hanging.
2, Ceiling Fan.
3, Fire Wood.



Russ
RV9-A N1909K
 
Might be OK on a snow plane (with a scatter shield)
I like the ceiling fan idea, could be a lot classier than those plastic P-40 or Corsair nosed fans.
 
Last edited:
If it's indeed a Warnke prop, even if it's not serviceable on any aircraft, it's now a collector's item for sure.
 
Nada Mucho...

I recently acquired a three blade ground adjustable prop that has no markings on it as to who made it. The only marks are on the inside as to insure that the prop gets reassembled with the blades in the same socket. The last 1/3 rd of each blade is covered with glass and the overall construction is beautiful. I have done some research and have reason to believe it is a Bernie or Maggie Warnke prop.
I have several questions about the prop.
1. Does anyone have any information that they can share?
2. With regards to the band clamps. How tight should the 3/8 bolts on the band clamps be torqued?

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/677x508q90/812/3m6z.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/677x508q90/706/1cif.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/381x508q90/855/kkq9.jpg

Russ
RV9-A N1909K

Russ,

Bernie and his daughter Margie both made props for me. This is not their work. The only adjustable pitch props you can trust on a Lycoming right now have been thoroughly tested. They are the Sensenich composite GA and the Whirlwind GA, both excellent products.

I like the ceiling fan idea...:)

V/R
Smokey
 
Collectors Item...


Gil,
Yep, sure does. I visited Bernie's shop/T-Hangar in Tucson many times before he died but never saw anything resembling that. When Margie built my 2 blade "Claw" I never saw one of those either. She is retired and moved to AK.
Maybe it was an Experimental design of an already Experimental prop...again, great ceiling fan material...

V/R
Smokey
 
Last edited:
Back
Top