This is one of a number of old propellers chosen by the museum's earliest curator, Paul Garber, from a collection at the Langley Field installation of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics in 1931. Although it was somehow identified as a Lavasseur (France) product, there is no marking to confirm its manufacturer. Both Lavasseur and Paragon (U.S.), for example, used blades with pronounced a S-shaped planform that twisted the blade as thrust levels changed.

The accession file notes without attribution that the propeller was used on the Spad VII aircraft. It is known that Levasseur built Spad XIII aircraft, but apparently did not build the Spad VII.

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

France

Type

PROPULSION-Propellers & Impellers

Manufacturer

Levasseur, France

Physical Description

Type: Two-Blade, Fixed-Pitch, Wood
Diameter: 243.8 cm (96 in.)
Chord: 21.6 cm (8.5 in.)
Engine Application: 134 kw (180 hp), Hispano-Suiza

Dimensions

Rotor/Propeller: 243.8 x 21.6 x 18.4 x 19.1 x 1.3 x 5.7 x 20.3 cm (96 in. x 8 1/2 in. x 7 1/4 in. x 7 1/2 in. x 1/2 in. x 8 in,)

Materials

Wood
Varnish
Steel
Paint

Inventory Number

A19320047000

Credit Line

Gift of National Advisory Committee of Aeronautics, Langley Field, Hampton, VA

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

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