RCU Forums - View Single Post - Three bladed props vs. two bladed props.
Old 11-23-2010 | 08:25 AM
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Sport_Pilot
 
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From: Acworth, GA
Default RE: Three bladed props vs. two bladed props.


ORIGINAL: eddieC

For our models, there's little difference.

From a design & efficiency standpoint, the fewer the blades, the better. The primary reasons for number & diameter of props on full-scale is prop clearance and keeping prop tip speed below the speed of sound (big loss of efficiency).
Then why does a large plane like a C-130 with absolutely no ground clearance problem go from a four blade prop to a 6 blade prop? Reason because the 6 blade prop has lower tip speeds, is more efficient (see lower tip speeds),bites thin air better, and has higher high speed thrust.