Prop Spinners

[loomaluftwaffe]

im rather confused, is a spinner like the Bf109F more efficient? if it wasnt, why didnt it retain the pointed spinner of the E series?

why didnt some P-47s have a spinner? cause it was better?

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Depending on the type and configuration of the engine, spinners will provide aerodynamic streamlining and direct airflow into the engine cowl area for engine cooling. In addition, they provide protection for the propeller hub which houses a series of gears and a piston used to move the propeller blades for the desired pitch. Although the hub is rather beefy, at the front of most US controllable prop pitch hubs is a big plug that holds in hydraulic fluid if the prop is hydraulically actuated. Sometimes dirt could get under this plug and cause the prop to leak. Some propellers are electric and there are components on the hub used for propeller de-icing, so a hub might be necessary, again it depends on the configuration of the aircraft. Designers will determine the need for propeller hubs, in the case of the P-47 putting a spinner (which usually has a mounting plate and required hardware) was probably seen as a waste of time since engines were changed out so often, most of the time the propeller is removed first, depending on manufacturer requirements. If you notice propellers used on the P-47 actually had a hub that was somewhat pointy, I guess they were attempting to streamline it...

In today's world some light aircraft use spinners but the manufacture may allow the aircraft to be operated without it.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I believe the spinner on the F was different than that of the E for several reasons including, better streamlining and different armament.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

and of course most radials wont have large spinners because air has to get to the engine.........

 

[FLYBOYJ]

and of course most radials wont have large spinners because air has to get to the engine.........

Precisely young Lanc! And sometimes there may be "cuffs" added to the inboard portion of the propeller blades to swirl air into the engine and through the cylinders. Within the cylinders there may be a layer of seemingly archaic installation of baffling that also aids in cooling.

 

[loomaluftwaffe]

or staggered cylinders for better cooling

 

[FLYBOYJ]

or staggered cylinders for better cooling

That's inherent in the design of almost all mulit-row radial engines..

 

[evangilder]

Plus staggered cylinders are easier to work on. Well, kind of.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

YEP!!