> From: STUART_BRENNAN@HP-Andover-om3.om.hp.com
> Date: Wed, 15 Oct 97 13:28:08 -0600
> Subject: Re: Canadian Fans
> Cc: tigers@autox.team.net
> Reply-to: STUART_BRENNAN@HP-Andover-om3.om.hp.com
> >The fastest prop plane ever was the 5 bladed scimitar propeller P-47N
> >which did 504 mph.
>
> >Typhoons, Tempests, Spitfires, and a lot of Russian turboprops use in
> >high performance versions used 5 bladed or more props.
>
> >mBrad
>
> Reply:
>
> I think the problem here was power. As the built more powerful
> engines, they could turn larger and larger props. At some point they
> had to decide to either make the landing gear taller, or add more
> blades. Didn't I see an experimental DC-9 with a 6 or 7 blade
> turboprop engine stuck on the back? Again they were trying to deliver
> a lot of power in a small diameter. Just like we're trying to move a
> lot of air in a small diameter. For the same blade shape, the more
> the better until the start to interfere with each other.
>
> Maybe we would have seen more 5 or 6 blade machines if jets hadn't
> taken over just after this era.
>
> Stu
>
Just last night PBS' NOVA program was devoted to the historic effort
at breaking the sound barrier and the limitations of propeller driven
aircraft.
Randy Zimmermann
St. Paul, MN
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