Rookie question - Argonaut’s prop?

[ZacYates]

Hi all,
I’m planning to build a 1/72 scale model of Argonaut as she appeared at this year’s races but have one stumbling block: what kind of propeller is on her? Is it just four Sea Fury blades on a new hub? A Skyraider unit? I’ve no idea where to start to answer this.

Thanks in advance!

[Race5]

Re: Rookie question - Argonaut’s prop?

Hi all,
I’m planning to build a 1/72 scale model of Argonaut as she appeared at this year’s races but have one stumbling block: what kind of propeller is on her? Is it just four Sea Fury blades on a new hub? A Skyraider unit? I’ve no idea where to start to answer this.

Thanks in advance!

Skyraider

[supercub]

Re: Rookie question - Argonaut’s prop?

Skyraider

Isn't Argonaut running a P&W 2800? If so, would a Skyraider prop work on it, since the Skyraiders ran Wirght 3350's.........just curious.

[GRNDP51]

Re: Rookie question - Argonaut’s prop?

Isn't Argonaut running a P&W 2800? If so, would a Skyraider prop work on it, since the Skyraiders ran Wirght 3350's.........just curious.

Since Argo used to have a 3350 it is possible they just swapped the engine and put the same prop back on, don't know why they would but Race5 is probably right

[CJAM427]

Re: Rookie question - Argonaut’s prop?

Since Argo used to have a 3350 it is possible they just swapped the engine and put the same prop back on, don't know why they would but Race5 is probably right

I was reading about the engine swap not too long ago, it's the same prop and spinner that it had with the 3350.

Zac, I had started a 1/72 September Fury and looked around for a Skyraider prop. You'd have to buy a Skyraider kit and steal the prop or cast a copy of it. I was planning to use 1/72 P-47 blades from Quickboost. For Argo's spinner you might try a 1/48 Spitfire spinner.

[Race5]

Re: Rookie question - Argonaut’s prop?

Isn't Argonaut running a P&W 2800? If so, would a Skyraider prop work on it, since the Skyraiders ran Wirght 3350's.........just curious.

Skyraider prop fits right on a 2800. Czech Mate uses shortened Skyraider blades as well.

[ZacYates]

Re: Rookie question - Argonaut’s prop?

Zac, I had started a 1/72 September Fury and looked around for a Skyraider prop. You'd have to buy a Skyraider kit and steal the prop or cast a copy of it. I was planning to use 1/72 P-47 blades from Quickboost. For Argo's spinner you might try a 1/48 Spitfire spinner.

That sounds doable. I have mates with big spares boxes so I could be in luck and get an original prop! I may even have stuff of my own...when I bashed a Monogram 72nd F8F into Rare Bear I used a 1/48 Mustang spinner without the backplate.

Is it worth emailing the Sanders clan via their website, or is the prop the kind of info that's considered sensitive to raceplane operators?

[L.E.D.]

Re: Rookie question - Argonaut’s prop?

That sounds doable. I have mates with big spares boxes so I could be in luck and get an original prop! I may even have stuff of my own...when I bashed a Monogram 72nd F8F into Rare Bear I used a 1/48 Mustang spinner without the backplate.

Is it worth emailing the Sanders clan via their website, or is the prop the kind of info that's considered sensitive to raceplane operators?

I doubt they'd be offended, especially since they list a Skyraider prop on Argo's web page.

http://sandersaeronautics.com/aircraft_argonaut.asp

[ZacYates]

Re: Rookie question - Argonaut’s prop?

And you were quite right! I emailed and Joel Swager said it does in fact still have the Skyraider prop...but a narrow chord one. Brian Sanders then emailed too to point out the exact difference...will it be noticeable in 1/72, or do I have some work ahead of me....?

I've asked if she and Dreadnought have the same props - that may make things easier.

[440_Magnum]

Re: Rookie question - Argonaut’s prop?

And you were quite right! I emailed and Joel Swager said it does in fact still have the Skyraider prop...but a narrow chord one. Brian Sanders then emailed too to point out the exact difference...will it be noticeable in 1/72, or do I have some work ahead of me....?

I've asked if she and Dreadnought have the same props - that may make things easier.

I've lost track of what is currently on Dreadnought, to be honest. For many years it ran the "wide chord" (actually an extended trailing edge?) prop and was very noticeably different from other Sea Furies with regular Skyraider blades, especially at high speed and viewed in profile. When the midair happened and the short tail had to go back on Dread, I'm pretty sure it went back to the narrow blades.

They tried both wide and narrow chord blades on September Fury / 232, and I think I recall that they also tried a modified wide-chord blade that had the chord reduced and re-profiled along the length of the blade. But again, the details are probably out there (probably even on this site somewhere), but I just have an overall vague memory.

[taglialavore]

Re: Rookie question - Argonaut’s prop?

Excuse me to get into the thread.
Some time ago I assembled a 1/48 Sea Fury model kit into Argonaut appearance. The way I took was to reform the original propeller from five to four blades. I reformed the hub also of course. Looks like an Skyraider prop blades.
I must point out that I´m not so a detail-oriented guy. It won´t compete in a concourse, but it is enough for me. IMHO.

[Leo]

Re: Rookie question - Argonaut’s prop?

Somewhere I have pics of 232's prop back when they were experimenting. The trailing edge of the blades seemed to curl back on the rest of it. Very cool but I am sure it was just an illusion.

[TWD]

Re: Rookie question - Argonaut’s prop?

Dreadnaught has the narrow chord Skyraider prop on it right now. I understand that this is because of the stock (shorter) tail that is on it right now. The blades #8 used to race had the extended trailing edge trimmed. It is full width in the middle tapering to no extension at the tip and hub.
The model that Brad Haskin built for us of Critical Mass many moons ago uses a Skyraider prop and it looks fine.
TJ

And you were quite right! I emailed and Joel Swager said it does in fact still have the Skyraider prop...but a narrow chord one. Brian Sanders then emailed too to point out the exact difference...will it be noticeable in 1/72, or do I have some work ahead of me....?

I've asked if she and Dreadnought have the same props - that may make things easier.

[RichH]

Re: Rookie question - Argonaut’s prop?

Somewhere I have pics of 232's prop back when they were experimenting. The trailing edge of the blades seemed to curl back on the rest of it. Very cool but I am sure it was just an illusion.

The trailing edge does indeed appear to "curl back", as on the "flanged" prop, the blades are hollow and the front facing surface simpy extends past the point where it meets on the backside. So in actuality it creates a crease at the point it extends (when viewed from the rear) and the top skin continues to form the flange.

This bit of flange was ground down progressively towards the tip on Dread's original prop, which was basically duplicated as an experiment one year on 232 (The prop that was painted red with white tips).

[RichH]

Re: Rookie question - Argonaut’s prop?

Dreadnaught has the narrow chord Skyraider prop on it right now. I understand that this is because of the stock (shorter) tail that is on it right now. The blades #8 used to race had the extended trailing edge trimmed. It is full width in the middle tapering to no extension at the tip and hub.
The model that Brad Haskin built for us of Critical Mass many moons ago uses a Skyraider prop and it looks fine.
TJ

Looks like you were a bit quicker at the keyboard than I was