WIX Archives
Re: P-51K Props
Posted by Steve T on Wed Dec 10, 2003 03:01:48 PM
In reply top P-51K Props posted by Mike Henniger on Wed Dec 10, 2003 07:15:39 AM
Mike et al--
Compicating things further, there are two quite different-looking Hamilton Standard props to be found on Mustangs. The "classic" unit has the broad "cuff" on the inner part of the blade (a bit like an Orion or Hercules prop); but also frequently seen is an "uncuffed" variation. These have a somewhat squarer tip to the blades. I'd have to look at my pix of "Glamorous Gal" to be sure but I think that Mustang has the "cuffless" Hamilton prop.
And just to mix things up even further there were also two Aeroproducts Mustang props. The one on the K-model had slim, curvy-edged blades not wholly unlike the shape of the Rotol four-blader on Spit IX/XVIs except for a rounder tip. Then there was a wide-bladed Aeroproducts unit on the H (and the F-82), with very round tips; a few of these have turned up on racing D-models...So, yes, the D-versus-K ID of N69X could easily have been occasioned by fitment at some point in its postwar history of the "wrong" prop!
S.
: : Mike, we had some P-51s with the same prop as a K...
:
: Ahhhh.... So another possibility is that the K designation
: that has been seen in some sources of info came from the
: modification of the P-51D in it's military after-life (civ
: ilian ownership). Any thoughts?
:
: Mike