SE5 Prop

smithart101 · 22 December 2009, 03:49 AM

Hello All,
this is my first post, so here goes..
I am the proud owner of an original SE5 prop for the Hispano Suiza. It is dated 17, march 1917. There are various numbers stamped and also 'SE5' and 'HISPANO SUIZA'.
My question is, can anyone help prove prove this was a prop from the famous 56 Squadron under Albert Ball?
You maybe able to make out from the photos, there is a cut line in the wood across the blades (see red dotted line) which is clearly where fabric once covered the tips. I don't have my copy of 'High in the Empty Blue' but there is a photo of one of 56's pilots stood in front of a SE5 with a prop of exactly the same shape AND with fabric tip covers!
The other thing is the date. 56 were the first squadron to get the SE5 and the date seems to fit.
thanks in advance for any comments
Simon

YavorD · 22 December 2009, 04:48 AM

Hi, smithart101!
The shape looks right for the 150 hp Hispano-Suiza of S.E.5. Propeller dimensions and inscriptions can reveal the exact model propeller and engine variant. It is hardly possible to confirm that this prop is used on particular aeroplane in particular squadron.
Merry Christmas!
Yavor

smithart101 · 22 December 2009, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YavorD

Hi, smithart101!
The shape looks right for the 150 hp Hispano-Suiza of S.E.5. Propeller dimensions and inscriptions can reveal the exact model propeller and engine variant. It is hardly possible to confirm that this prop is used on particular aeroplane in particular squadron.
Merry Christmas!
Yavor

Hi Yavor,
thanks for the reply and yes it has (2?)P 150 stamped before Hispano Suiza, which confirms it is for the 150HP engine. I doubt if I can assign this to a particular aircraft but would not the date suggest it went to 56 SQDN? They were the only outfit with the SE5 at that time I believe.
merry christmas to you!

smithart101 · 22 December 2009, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YavorD

Hi, smithart101!
The shape looks right for the 150 hp Hispano-Suiza of S.E.5. Propeller dimensions and inscriptions can reveal the exact model propeller and engine variant. It is hardly possible to confirm that this prop is used on particular aeroplane in particular squadron.
Merry Christmas!
Yavor

Hi Yavor,
thanks for the reply and yes it has (2?)P 150 stamped before Hispano Suiza, which confirms it is for the 150HP engine. I doubt if I can assign this to a particular aircraft but would not the date suggest it went to 56 SQDN? They were the only outfit with the SE5 at that time I believe.
merry christmas to you!

YavorD · 22 December 2009, 05:37 AM

The date reveals a possibility but who knows is it used at all?
It is nice propeller anyway! May I suggest to check the marks for diameter, pitch, Drawing No. (e.g. five digits 2xxxx) and producer.
Yavor

Scottie · 22 December 2009, 07:24 AM

Try contacting aeroclocks- (do a google search)-they may be able to help as I own a similar prop purchased from them a few years ago.

best wishes with your search.

wulffo · 22 December 2009, 09:11 AM

firstly congrats to a rare and lovely propeller. you are right that the date makes it more probable that the prop was with 56th but as it is unfortunately with these props it is all down to probabilities. unless there is a provenance it is absolutely impossible to say which one came from where. props that stayed behind in their country of origin are unfortunately far more likely to have survived than front line props.... so here is probability vs probability. and then, unless the actual plane survived till the end of the war there is a fat chance of the original prop making it back to the uk as a souvenir other thaan in the form of a walking stick and those remaining in france were probably turned into some exotic firewood. so i am afraid no albert arthur and friends but nice and rare nevertheless

smithart101 · 22 December 2009, 09:31 AM

Thanks for the replies chaps!
The prop is in fact damaged slightly at the tips from a minor accident which is no doubt why it was dispensed with.
My reason for thinking it may have seen squadron service is the evidence of the canvas prop tips that were I believe fitted locally (ie by squadron ground crew)and not by the makers/factory.
Wulffo, I take your point about the chances of a prop making it back to England, but according to some of the memoirs i have read, se5's were often flown back to blighty when the pilot went on leave.Perhaps it was damaged on such a trip? Speculation, I know!
regards
Simon

smithart101 · 13 January 2010, 11:26 AM

I finally got hold of my copy of High the the Emty Blue and on page 87 you can see exactly this shape of propeller in the photo of Crowe in front of an Se5. see photo attached. Note the wide shape of the prop blades and the location of canvas covered tips on the blades match exactly the photo of my prop!
Interestingly, from reading the text of HITEB, the squadron left France on leave (and anti Gotha duties) in late June 1917 and headed across the channel to Lympne. Despite major Blomfields pre takeoff threat to 'sack' anyone making a bad landing, Barlow 'crashed' SE5 A'4858.
Could this be the very prop from Barlows aircraft? it would explain its condition and its presence/survival in England.

smithart101 · 13 January 2010, 11:48 AM

For interest, Barlow's SE5 A'4858 accounted for 3 Albatros C types,one OOC the other two confirmed destroyed)
He wasn't sacked and when the squadron returned to france in July his next A/C was SE5 A'8910
regards
Simon