Anxious to earn part of the United States government's unprecedented $640 million dollar appropriation for aviation production when the country entered World War I in 1917, a few High Point, North Carolina, furniture factories contributed directly to the nationwide war effort. Instead of bureaus, chairs, and tables, manufacturers converted to the production of wagon wheels, gun carriages, and airplane propellers. The Giant Furniture Company renamed itself the Southern Aircraft Company and used its woodworking machinery to make propellers from local hardwoods, primarily white oak, for use on United States Navy flying boats, training aircraft, and airships for service during the Great War.
The artifact was most likely built according to a Lang propeller design as indicated by the markings and approved by the government.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
United States of America
PROPULSION-Propellers & Impellers
Type: Two-Blade, Fixed-Pitch, Wood
Bolt Holes: 8
Engine Application: Unknown
3-D (Propeller): 241.3 × 20.3 × 12.7cm, 14.1kg (7 ft. 11 in. × 8 in. × 5 in., 31lb.)
Storage (Aluminum Pallet): 308.6 × 122.6 × 86.4cm, 164.7kg (10 ft. 1 1/2 in. × 4 ft. 1/4 in. × 2 ft. 10 in., 363lb.)
Laminated wood, Copper Alloy, Solder, Paper, Original Varnish, Museum Varnish
A19610168000
GIFT OF MR. REINHARDT AUSMUS. NO RESTRICTIONS.
National Air and Space Museum
Usage conditions apply
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