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The next four photo's in your post, show a different earlier type of VDM propeller Hub, complete with the VDM extension prop shaft with serrated flange coupling and the prop shaft nut at the front.
This style of VDM Hub was used on earlier aircraft such as Bf 109 E/F1-2, Bf 110 and even some early WW2 He 111 and Ju 88. Again, all these propeller applications were similar but specifically different . Fortunately, I can identify the specific application from the numbers stamped into the Hub casting around the front hole where the big prop nut is fitted into.
In this case the prop shaft and prop nut are fitted. The nut was probably not fully tightened here because the separate pitch-change gearbox assembly has been removed from the rear of the hub. If you are going to undo the big prop nut and prop shaft, this should not be too difficult. I would advise bolting the serrated flange of the propshaft securely to a very strong support of workbench. The propnut has a normal righthand thread and is undone with a long round steel bar. The bar needs to be a close fit in the round holes of the prop nut. I would advise having an extension of about a yard long, in case the nut is actually tight. You might find that a strong heating of the nut will help release it. There should again be a snap ring locating the front bronze cones inside the hub, behind the big nut. These parts are close fit and need good cleaning of the hole to slide out, if it is rusty in there.
If parts are clean it all slides apart, the prop shaft is splined with a master spline but it is a sliding fit in the hub. Of course , dirt and corrosion in there may make it seem a solid fit but, with the snap ring removed and nut off, only dirt or corrosion is holding the the half cones and prop shaft in the hub. Careful cleaning and mechanical technique will get it apart.
Now, just like the other hub, the prop id is stamped around the circular opening for the big nut at the front. Do be careful with the mechanical ways you clean/restore the hub. The stampings are quite well defined in the metal but, where corrosion is present, the numbers may need care to not be lost with excessive mechanical cleaning.
Looking forward to giving you more info as you get some numbers!
Eng
Larry,
I am sorry but, do we have two different hubs here? In these latest pics, one hub with just 4 large barrel bolts and two pics of a different hub spider? Or, did that spider come
out of that barrel?
Cheers
Eng
Hi Larry,The Freeman Army Airfield Museum has a storage room (used to house a coal furnace) that we call the Dig Room. It is where we store WWII aircraft parts that were dug up at Freeman Army Airfield in the late 90's, and some from 2008-2013, that have not yet been cleaned up/identified. Many of the parts you folks have helped to identify came out of that room. With the identification of the hydraulic operating cylinder for a Mk 9 Spitfire a couple of weeks ago, we have become interested in some other propeller parts. We have just begun to clean them up, and they are not yet ready for prime time in terms of finding numbers on them. However, we wonder if just the images of the uncleaned parts would rings any bells in the minds of you folks with a a lot of experience in these matters. Please have a look at the attached pictures, and let us know if you recognize any of these parts. Thanks.
From what I can see, on the third image there are four grease nipples that based on the Hamilton Standard Counterweight propeller are used to grease the spider arms that the blades rotate on. In the image of the hub rear there are four holes which appear to align with grease nipples, the same as the H/S props. So it is my opinion that the two items may be from the same propeller.
Does the hub come apart/split in half after the bolts are removed?
Because the barrel halves only have one bolt per side I am suspecting this is for a fairly low powered engine. Why would you need four blades on low power is an interesting question,
Ground clearance? ducted fan? I wonder if we need to be looking at "secret" projects from Germany or Japan.
Obviously it was also designed to mount a spinner so that is another item to include in the search.
From what I can see, on the third image there are four grease nipples that based on the Hamilton Standard Counterweight propeller are used to grease the spider arms that the blades rotate on. In the image of the hub rear there are four holes which appear to align with grease nipples, the same as the H/S props. So it is my opinion that the two items may be from the same propeller.
Does the hub come apart/split in half after the bolts are removed?