3 blade or 4 blade prop for TF p-51
 

My top flite 60 size gold edition arf p-51 came with a 2 blade 14x8 prop, I know that will give it the best performance ( I have a golden knight 100 in her) but I would like to find a nice scale looking 3 or 4 blade prop that can perform somewhat close to the 2 blade, I like the idea of the added realistic look of a 3-4 blade, my question is what size should I use and where can I grab a pair at? Thanks alot fellas.

RE: 3 blade or 4 blade prop for TF p-51
 

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/grprop.htm
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=++&search3=Go
http://masterairscrew.com/images/selecting_a_prop.pdf

You will have to read the information regarding prop sizing on these sites, and make use of your best judgment.

RE: 3 blade or 4 blade prop for TF p-51
 

The problem is:

1) VERY few Mustangs had 3-blade props

2) 4-blade props on models are very inefficient

3) a "Scale" size 4-blade prop would be about 16" but you can only go about 12" on the model (Maybe 13 tops)

So you'll have a prop that has 4 blades, like the real thing, but it will be inefficent and too small to look scale anyway.

RE: 3 blade or 4 blade prop for TF p-51
 

I know I was thinking of that and instead of the 14x8 2 blade that came with it I may go with a 15x9 and see the performance difference once I maiden her. I know the golden knight can probably swing a nice sized prop so I will have to try all different sizes and see what I like the best and what is the best performance overall on a certain size. Any suggestions?

RE: 3 blade or 4 blade prop for TF p-51
 

If you go up one inch in length, you want to go down one number in pitch.

So if you're using a 14x8, you'll want to try a 15 x 7 or 15x6, not 15x9

RE: 3 blade or 4 blade prop for TF p-51
 

I would run the 4 blade prop...just because thats what was on a P-51.
I can't stand it when people put a 2 blade prop on my favorite airplane..P-40 WARHAWK..I ALWAYS use a 3 blade on mine.
Ineffiecient or not im not out to win a world speed record.
Thats just miy 2 cents:eek:
By the way,I use 4 stroke engines on my warbirds.

RE: 3 blade or 4 blade prop for TF p-51
 

I have been told in the past that if you go from a two blade to a three blade you either go down one size or go down one pitch. Pick your poison. I cannot say that this is a fact but it has worked for me. So if you are using a 14 x 8 two blade then you would either want a 14 x 7 or 13 x 8 three blade, if they are available. Like I said that is the method I was told and have used. There are alot of opinions on this so you will probably have to trail and error it. I cannot comment on the four blade because I have never had the desire to try one.

RE: 3 blade or 4 blade prop for TF p-51
 

Buy a huge 4 blade prop and the appropriate spinner. Put it on when you want to look at the plane.
When you want to fly the plane, put on the appropriate two blade prop and spinner and have a blast.

RE: 3 blade or 4 blade prop for TF p-51
 

I have seen some pattern planes with 4-blade props, and they flew just fine. They do this to get more points for noise reduction in a competition. I would like to see how this can work on something like a Mustang, I am sure there are spinners available.

NorfolkSouthern

RE: 3 blade or 4 blade prop for TF p-51
 

One of the best ways to go is to use an RCV engine. They are geared down 2-to-1 so you can swing a BIG 4-blade prop.

http://www.rcvengines.com/rcv90sp.htm

RE: 3 blade or 4 blade prop for TF p-51
 

why wasn't this posted in the warbirds section there is a 30 page thread on this very airframe including engine selection and proping it.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_7520206/tm.htm a 15" prop could be used on this plane and clear the ground no problem, so using a 15/9 would work now that being said that size is on the ability limits of your motor, and your likely to bog the engine a bit with that higher pitch prop a 6-4 pitch range would do for the engine if you want a larger blade for looks.

there's areason the 14/8 prop is offered its a perfect size and pitch for that engine size range, and the speed needed for the plane to fly properly.

RE: 3 blade or 4 blade prop for TF p-51
 

Run the 14x8. The engine will work well with it and the plane will fly great. If you are worried about appearance, spray paint it black with yellow tips. If you really want a 4-blade, get a display prop but change back to the 2-blade for flying.

RE: 3 blade or 4 blade prop for TF p-51
 

Four blade P-51 spinners are available from Tru-Turn and others.

One problem is that a prop that is the right size to be scale is going to be too big for the engine. Jacked69 has a Saito 1.00 on his model. According to the product description, the plane is a 1/7 scale P-51D. The full scale P-51D used a 4 blade 11'2" prop. A 1/7 scale prop would be about 19 inches. That would be a really big prop for the Saito.

The other problem is that very few 4 blade props are available. Using the 'load' numbers from ThrustHP A 14X8 2 blade is fairly equivalent to the following in a 4 blade
14x4
13x5
12x7
11.75x8

RE: 3 blade or 4 blade prop for TF p-51
 

Thanks for the help fellas, and also I was going to paint yellow tips on the prop because it is all black right now. But I will try a 4 blade just to see how it performs, hay what would it hurt? I may like the flying characteristics better, as some like warbirds and racers like I do and some like bi planes and other 3d. I will try some 2-3-4 blade props in different size, I would rather go down in length rather than pitch to give it more bite and torque. Thanks for all the input fellas.

RE: 3 blade or 4 blade prop for TF p-51
 

Big Time thank you for that link, I did not see that one. ONly mine was an ARF not a kit. The ARFs are a bit lighter according to topflight, its amazing at how light my p-51 is. Also in the thread on this plane they mentioned that on the real scale plane the landing gear was angled a bit more forward which would minimize nose overs on landings, I know on the thread it was being discussed to move the gear angle forward a tad on the model, but dont know if they managed to pull it off. Would I be able to do this to mine? Because I can see with that being done a huge difference in landings with only a few degrees more forward making a huge difference on landings. If I can do this how do I? Thanks alot felllas.

RE: 3 blade or 4 blade prop for TF p-51
 

Probably too late for a reply but here goes my TF P-51 with a 4 blade apc 15.5x12. Flies great and fast.

RE: 3 blade or 4 blade prop for TF p-51
 

Great picture... you forgot to mention what engine you have in the plane.