Identification of Propeller

[Dave]

As a further follow-up, I got in the mail today some photos of a GB Lewis prop that also had a decal that explains the "SHO" seen on yours.

As Lamar suggested, it does stand for "SHOP", and although worn, clearly shows that it was inspected and or/overhauled by Sensenich in Lancaster, Pa.

[Dave]

No, they don't help. The blades are often numbered to assist in maintenence of the engine and propeller.

I have found two more numbers on the hub. I don't know if it helps, but between two of the holes on each side ther is 1 and 2 below the other numbers. Like I said I don't know if it has anything to do with identification or not. I'm still looking for more information on this propeller.

[MWP_Lamar]

But chances are good that if it were made by Sensenich during those years they would have also stamped it with the design number.

Good point; very true Dave.

Lamar

Thank you to both of you for all the great information. I really do appreciate it. Believe it or not now you've gotten me very interested in learning more about this type stuff. Even though there may be real way of knowing type of plane this came off of, I'm just glad to know that it's not just some piece of junk that my husband has been holding onto all these years.

[Dave]

But chances are good that if it were made by Sensenich during those years they would have also stamped it with the design number.

Tammy, keep in mind that while a lot of the propellers are made by a few of the common manufacturers, quite a few were also made by very small companies, and there is almost no way of tracking them down in that case.

[MWP_Lamar]

I am able to read a few more numbers-N4823 or N4828.

A couple of big IF's: If your prop is a Sensenich and if either number is the prop serial number it would indicate the prop was made in February or March of 1947. Unfortunately, that would be of no help in ID'ing the aircraft though as there are no known cross-references of serial number to prop application.

Lamar

I am able to read a few more numbers-N4823 or N4828. If you could point me in the right direction in researching things like this it would be great. I'm not real sure where to even begin to look. Even if it is from a personal plane, its kind of got me interested in knowing more. So any tips on how to begin tracking down more info would be awsome.

I had a chance to measure a PT-19 prop today and it is nearly a foot shorter than yours. Also, although the blade design looks identical, the hub appears to be a bit thicker than yours. But most importantly, a prop produced for the military during WWII would have had more numbers and identifying marks stamped on or near the hub. So about all that can be said with much certainty is that yours is a real airplane propeller, most likely from the late 1930's or 1940's, and probably from a civilian airplane. However, without any additional identifying numbers or marks, that only narrows it down to a few hundred aircraft types! Still a nice piece of history.

[MWP_Lamar]

Both PT-19 and PT-23 are Fairchild aircraft.

Lamar

Thank you very much for all the help. I don't know a lot about these kind of things, so I really do appreciate the help. I guess now I know a little bit more about it, but I would still like to know more. I guess my question is what type of airplanes are the PT-19/Pt-23? I'm interested in know more about these propellers now that I've been researching and talking with ya'll about them. Or rather reading what all of ya'll have researched. So any information that ya'll can pass on would be great. I've kinda gotten hooked now reading up on all of this.

Tammy, judging from the photos, it is very unlikely that your prop is a replica. It's design is similar to the wooden propellers produced for primary trainers during WWII. Although it's impossible to tell for sure based on your photos, the prop appears to closely resemble the design of the propellers used on the Fairchild PT-19/PT-23 series of trainers. Although these props are still fairly common, they do have value, usually fetching between $250 and $800 (depending heavily on condition) on auction sites like eBay.

[Dave]

I doubt that it's a replica, and the imprint on the hub (from the attachment of a metal hub) makes it appear to have been used, rather than kept as a spare.

I don't know where else you can find anything to identify it. Unfortunately, some props just can't be identified.

Well, I wasn't sure if this was a replica or what. Is there anyway of researching by the numbers? If not thanks for the help anyway.

[Dave]

I wondered the same thing.

Either way, I don't think what's there helps much with trying to identify it.