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The P-39F/J/K and P-39Q-21 through Q-25 used a hydraulic Aeroproducts four blade prop.I don't recall the 39 or 40 ever getting them, but they are a different animal.
Isnt having a tricycle/tail dragger landing gear a factor in deciding which prop to use?
I can see that FB but in simple terms the fewer blades the better however with a tail dragger increasing prop diameter starts to increase the chances of it hitting the ground.This depends on a whole lot of factors. Aircraft use, hp, engine RPM, torque, I could go on and on.
By increasing prop diameter, it doesn't mean you're increasing efficiency. Propeller Performance: An introduction, by EPI Inc.I can see that FB but in simple terms the fewer blades the better however with a tail dragger increasing prop diameter starts to increase the chances of it hitting the ground.
The Curtiss SC-1 had a small diameter prop (10' 2") but still had good performance in spite of the drag imposed by it's float and outriders. It was powered by a Wright R-1820-62I can see that FB but in simple terms the fewer blades the better however with a tail dragger increasing prop diameter starts to increase the chances of it hitting the ground.
But with the float fitted, there was much less clearance.The Curtiss SC-1 had a small diameter prop (10' 2") but still had good performance in spite of the drag imposed by it's float and outriders. It was powered by a Wright R-1820-62
Here's a photo of the SC-1 with it's fixed gear mounted to show just how small it's prop actually was:
View attachment 310232
Flyboy, I wasnt thinking in any particular direction but I was thinking in particular about two aircraft, firstly the Spitfire, without a complete re design of wings and landing gear the maximum prop diameter couldn't really be increased so it sprouted more blades. The second is the Corsair which was laid out as far as the wing shape and landing gear was concerned to have the biggest prop available yet still be able to land on a carrier.By increasing prop diameter, it doesn't mean you're increasing efficiency. Propeller Performance: An introduction, by EPI Inc.