An early predominant manufacturer in the United States, Spencer Heath's American Propeller and Manufacturing Company opened in 1909, and first used machines for propeller mass production. Under the Paragon trademark, these were widely flown in World War I. Construction was a wood laminate because of light weight, strength, fabrication ease, and resistance to fatigue in a vibrating and flexing environment.
The manufacturer's brochure states three-bladed Paragon propellers were extensively used by the U.S. Navy beginning in 1912. It was claimed that "In point of strength of hub no propeller whatever can compare with the three-bladed . , ." and that they ". . . nearly always [give] better results than two-bladed propellers of any type."
This propeller was intended for a Gallaudet D-4 biplane designed and built by the Gallaudet Aircraft Company for the United States Navy.
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
PROPULSION-Propellers & Impellers
Manufacturer
American Propeller and Manufacturing Company
Physical Description
Type: Three-Blade, Fixed-Pitch, Wood, Unfinished
Diameter: 304.8 cm (120 in.)
Chord: 32.5 cm (12.8 in.)
Engine Application: Liberty L-12
Dimensions
Rotor/Propeller: 304.8 x 66 x 66 x 15.2 x 2.5 x 39.1cm (10 x 26 x 26 x 6 x 1 x 15 3/8 in.)
Materials
Wood
Varnish
Adhesive
Inventory Number
A19690120000
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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