The Flottorp Manufacturing Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan was founded in 1912 by Norwegian born Ole Flottorp, making it one of the world’s oldest propeller producers. He built his first propeller in 1910, the company built about 175 models of fixed and controllable pitch wood propellers, and was a U.S. Government contractor during World War I. In the late 1950s, Flottorp was acquired by the Univair Aircraft Corporation of Aurora, Colorado.

According to the museum’s accession records, the artifact was used on an Airco De Havilland D.H.6 of about 1918. This basic trainer of the British Royal Flying Corps was developed about 1916, but later used in the U.S., Spain and elsewhere in the world.

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

Flottorp Manufacturing Co.

Physical Description

Type: Two-Blade, Fixed-Pitch, Wood
Diameter: 254 cm (100 in.)
Chord: 22.9 cm (9 in.)
Engine Application: RAF 1a, V8, 67 kw (90 hp)

Dimensions

Rotor/Propeller: 254 x 22.9 x 17.8 x 10.2 cm (100 x 9 x 7 x 4 in.)

Materials

Wood
Copper Alloy
Varnish

Inventory Number

A19320030000

Credit Line

Gift of Karl Ort

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply
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