I think if you "Google" it you would find a self launching glider that was developed a few years ago that uses a one blade prop. I think it was an Apis if I remember correctly. I also think a human powered airplane was developed that used a sing blade propeller. Be interesting to chat with a prop engineer to get their opinion on this whole thing.
Fred Johnson Reno, NV -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Don Chisholm Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2006 9:53 AM To: KRnet Subject: Re: KR> Props I don't know if my thinking is flawed here but out of the dark recesses of my brain I seem to remember a 1 bladed prop from WW2 that the Germans were playing with, with a counterweight for balance. It seems to me that you can argue the points of multiple blades versus 2 blades seems to me to be getting down to a matter of opinion. If there was a 1 bladed prop I wonder what the advantages were there Randy Smith <[email protected]> wrote: I am not sure what book you refer to but everything being equal a 2 bladed prop will perform better than a 3 bladed prop. A prop disturbs the air in front of it as it comes around and a 3 bladed prop disturbs more air. The perfect prop would only have one blade. The three bladed prop is quieter and smother than a 2 bladed Prop. There are a lot of High performance engines like an IO-520 on Vikings,Cessna 210,Piper and a lot of other High performance aircraft That come from the factory with a 2 Bladed prop. Talk to a prop shop and they will explain the differences. Some planes come with a 3 blade prop because of ground clearance, Some folks like them because they look good.
