Vereinigte Deutsche Metallwerke, or United German Metalworks, was a society of medium-sized family firms formed in 1930. One of VDM’s member companies, the Heddernheimer Metal Company, initiated the development of metal propellers in Germany by introducing a ground-adjustable propeller in the late 1920s, similar in construction to the American Standard Steel propeller.

VDM’s Dr. Hans Ebert later developed an ingenious method of pitch actuation using a reversible electric motor mounted on the engine crankcase. Actuation was via a flexible shaft connected to a small primary drive reduction gearbox, which was in turn attached to a large annular gearbox fitted to the rear of the propeller hub.

VDM constant-speed propellers appeared during the spring of 1937, and full-scale production was up and running a year later. VDM became the leading German manufacturer of metal propellers before and during World War II, utilized by approximately 90 percent of the Luftwaffe's front-line aircraft.

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 Germany Type PROPULSION-Propellers & Impellers Manufacturer Vereinigte Deutsche Metallwerke(VDM) Luftfahrtwerke A.G., Frankfurt-am-Main-Heddernheim, Germany
Physical Description Type: Three-Blade, Variable-Pitch, Metal Diameter: 339.1 cm (133.5 in.) Chord: 31.8 cm (12.5 in.) Engine Application: Unknown Dimensions Rotor/Propeller: 157.5 x 339.1 x 31.8 x 55.9 x 29.2 x 14cm (62 in. x 11 ft. 1 1/2 in. x 12 1/2 in. x 22 in. x 11 1/2 in. x 5 1/2 in.)
Storage: 197.2 x 60 x 45.4cm (77 5/8 x 23 5/8 x 17 7/8 in.)
Materials Steel
Aluminum
Cadmium Plating
Preservative Coating
Inventory Number A19601369000 Credit Line Transferred from the U.S. Air Force Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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