1916 Hélice Eclair references needed

[Tullis Aviation Art]

I am currently working on profile illustrations of Nieuport 17s and am hitting a brick wall in my search for accurate drawings for the 1916 Hélice Eclair propeller used on some of them. Can anyone point me to a source for drawings and/or dimensional info on them?

[YavorD]

I know no good source of information concerning propellers used on Nieuport sesquiplane fighters.
One must take into account what version of the Le Rhône is used - from the pre-war 9J through 9Jb to late 9Jby.

As an example, general dimensions of Eclair série 4 propeller, diameter 2.46 m, pitch 2.60 m, blade width 0.15 m, Le Rhône 110 ch.

For comparison:

• Chauvière série 2180, diameter 2.45 m, pitch 2.55 m, blade width 0.15 m, Le Rhône 110 ch;
• Chauvière série 2228, diameter 2.50 m, pitch 2.40 m, blade width 0.15 m, Le Rhône 120 ch;
• Régy série 354, diameter 2.45 m, pitch 2.50 m, blade width 0.15 m Le Rhône 120 ch.

Data from "Types d’hélices employées pendant la première guerre mondiale par l’aviation française", Gérard Hartmann, Les héliciers français [ URL ].

[Tullis Aviation Art]

Thank you!

[US93Rummell]

Screenshot 2025-07-05 141236.jpg

Just FYI, I found a July 1918 report of main propellers in use on main types in the Paris archives last month. The above is what was listed for the N17.

[US93Rummell]

I dont suppose you (or anyone else) has come across pitch/data on the Regy serie 330 prop?

Originally Posted by YavorD

I know no good source of information concerning propellers used on Nieuport sesquiplane fighters.
One must take into account what version of the Le Rhône is used - from the pre-war 9J through 9Jb to late 9Jby.

As an example, general dimensions of Eclair série 4 propeller, diameter 2.46 m, pitch 2.60 m, blade width 0.15 m, Le Rhône 110 ch.

For comparison:

• Chauvière série 2180, diameter 2.45 m, pitch 2.55 m, blade width 0.15 m, Le Rhône 110 ch;
• Chauvière série 2228, diameter 2.50 m, pitch 2.40 m, blade width 0.15 m, Le Rhône 120 ch;
• Régy série 354, diameter 2.45 m, pitch 2.50 m, blade width 0.15 m Le Rhône 120 ch.

Data from "Types d’hélices employées pendant la première guerre mondiale par l’aviation française", Gérard Hartmann, Les héliciers français [ URL ].

[YavorD]

Originally Posted by US93Rummell

I dont suppose you (or anyone else) has come across pitch/data on the Regy serie 330 prop?

I have nothing about Régy série 330.

Régy série designation is just a successive number jumping between various projects, some examples are listed below. The timeframe for "série 330" must be 1916 to early 1917.

• ...
• Régy série 325, Paul Schmitt 7 B2, Renault 220 ch
• Régy série 326, Caudron R.4, as well as Spad XIV or Nieuport XIV, Hispano 150 ch
• Régy série 327, Caudron G.3, Anzani 100 ch, avion école
• ...
• Régy série 333, Caudron G.6, Le Rhône 110 ch
• ...
• Régy série 336, Spad XII, Hispano 150 ch
• Régy série 337M, Spad biplace (Spad 11 A2), Hispano 200 ch
• ...

There was Gnome et Rhône série 330M for supercharged Gnome et Rhône 5 K, much later, 1930s.

Best regards,
Yavor