RE: Did pattern fliers used to use variable pitch props?
The one that Steve Helms used was produced by MK. He threw alot of blades at first. You ought to see what losing a blade does to an airplane! Problem he had was to try to run it at the current rpm's back in those days. Once the rpm's came down, the prop became more reliable. I saw him fly it many times and never thought it was worth all the hassle.
Greg Grigsby