S.E.5a Propellers

[Gasqclark]

Here are 2 propellers which I have recently added to my collection and would be very grateful for more informations about their provenance as very little was known by the sellers. In fact, one of them was found in a loft and the builders were told to put it in a skip !

Both for the S.E.5a aeroplane and interestingly with much of the linen on the blades still intact.

[Dbahnson]

Nice props, and they appear to be in original condition (and should be kept that way.) I doubt you'll find any information about "provenance" any more than what's stamped on the hub.

[Gasqclark]

Thank you Dave and absolutely, I have only dusted them off very carefully and just apply a thin layer of the highest quality beeswax.

What I meant by provenance was about the propeller manufacturer. Those two are completely different, presumably for the same engine, one is stamped Wolseley Viper and the other just Viper and one is considerably heavier that the other. Unfortunately, I still don’t have any of the books from Bob Gardner.

[Dbahnson]

I've got all of Bob's books and some other references, but I don't trust photos alone to determine critical blueprint (drawing) information. If you can type the numbers and post them here? I can probably identify them and they may be applicable to several aircraft.

[Gasqclark]

Thank you so much Dave, I would be very grateful for this.

Prop 1 : WOLSELEY VIPER
SE5A
180HP
1800 REV


AB 662 RH
G 101 N 6
D 2400
P 1800



Prop 2 : G. 607.N.40
SE.5A. VIPER
DG.AB.7673.RH
D.2414
P.1710

[Dbahnson]

I've looked over my list of nearly 600 British propeller drawing numbers.



Your drawing numbers appear in the clipped lists above. Nothing you don't already know except that #7673 could also have been use on the Dolphin and AB 662 could be used on the SPAD S7 but since they're both stamped for the Wolseley Viper that's obviously their intended use.

I don't think you'll be able to narrow it down any further. I strongly suggest that you keep them in their current condition to preserve their value as collectibles.

[Gasqclark]

Thank you Dave, I really appreciate that you took the time to look for those drawing numbers. Would you be able to tell who was the manufacturer of those ?
Best wishes, Edouard

[Dbahnson]

The "AB" refers to the "Air Board", but that refers to the "drawing number" and could have been licensed to a different manufacturer for production.

[Gasqclark]

Many thanks Dave and best wishes