Looking through an old RCM from 1979, I see Hobby Lobby offered a Schneider Variprop which featured in-flight variable and reverse pitch.

Does anyone still have one of these or know where they can be found?
Or have experience with one back then?
Or know of anyone else who makes something like this for use on a gas or nitro engine?

Thanks,
Barry

I'm not familiar with the brand but Graupner had one--------I'm guessing about 1975 + or -.

It was a prop aimed at the Pattern group and while a number tried them (including Hanno and Steve Helms) I believe they were discarded in roughly a year, maybe two.

In the last year or two there has been one for gassers in the Mags. and I believe there was a product test even though it was (as I remember) pretty much a one or two off deal.

That happens to be one thing I have no interest in buying/using. I remember the comments on Graupners----------by those who used it then. The conclusion was that it was needless complication.

There is a video of a guy who built a reversable glow engine prop setup and it shows it flying. It was a complicated and heavy modification. It can be done.

What I would be more interested in is a constant speed prop. I have plans for one for a 1/6th scale P&W Wasp Jr engine, but the issue is the prop blades. I can purchase carbon fiber blades, $90 a pair, from the deisigner in Australia, but these are not the size I need for my flying, 19" vs a 14" for most of my planes. The hub is not a complicated devise, but it will add maybe 4oz on the nose of the engine and then comes the issue blade manufacturing for the size you want. I'm not sure the cure isn't going to worse than the ailment. For the time being I'm on the sidelines looking. The though of a 5 to 15 pitch is interesting, but only for all out speed.

Don

I believe it was a bit later in time; and the person using this prop on his world championship plane was Wolfgang Matt.

A guy in Florida owns the pattern plane with the variable prop. He bought from Matt.

A constant speed prop would be cool but how would it be done? Hi-Johnson used to make one in the sixties for control line. It was set up with centrifigul force. One problem, the pitch would go flat with a dead stick and the plane would fall out of the sky. Hal DeBolt had tried it and wrecked has plane.

There is a guy in Europe making and selling variable pitch props. If memory serves the largest diameter is 12". I have the website somewhere in my old computer's favorites.

Try this link http://www.sws-plastics.ch/jlg.htm this is the guy from europe that was mencionated. the maximum size will be 12"

good luck

Arturo

That's the guy.

He shows a 12x8 at something like $110 each.

There used to be a whole list of props at one time. Different shapes, diameters and spinners. The largest being a 12"

Now if this set up was modified with carbon blades with dovetailed hubs ends I think it could be done for larger engines. But what's the point? How many will you sell and how many people would sue you if something breaks after it was involved in a crash or prop strike?

I have one of the Schneider Variprops, NIB. (Box says RC-VERSTELL-PROPELLER) Got it from a old flyer who loved to try things but never got around to testing this. The box comes with a spinner, 4 sets of props (2 to each set) and instructions. Here's what the instructions say:

-Can be operated with standard RC servos of 2 kg thrust;
-Can be operated in flight from full positive thrust to negative thrust;
-Damaged propeller blades can be exchanged by simply loosening 2 screws;
-Gets full power from an engine regardless of airspeed;
-Makes possible very short landings due to brake effect at negative thrust
Diameter of spinner - 52mm
Diameter of Propeller - 280mm

Caution: Engine can overheat when propeller is at zero or negative thrust positions on the ground. This is due to insufficient cooling wind.
Caution: When stating engine make sure propeller is in positive pitch position and engine power reduced so airplane will not race backwards unexpectedly.
Caution: Do not change from positive to negative pitch while engine is at full power. Excessive engine revolutions can occur at the zero pitch position, and centrifugal force on each blade can reach 500 kg.

-
I've been trying to locate some info on the internet but mostly get German websites. I don't speak / understand German.

The concept of a affordable variable pitch prop like this is a dream come true for modelers.

Sadly, it would also be a dream come true for trial lawyers as well. I hate to look at the negative side, but safety would be a big issue in these days where new lawnmowers must be totally idiot proof before going to market.

Does anyone know about a SLEC 10" Multi Prop? I have one which is NIB/NOS. It comes in a cardboard tube container which in printed in red/white/blue colors fashioned with an English flag. Also also says on the box: - Ultra Fine Pitch Control, - Automatic Pitch Adjustment, - Vaiable Pitch Propeller, - Optional 2-3-6 Blades.

I would appreciate any information regarding this item.

Ed

I have some of those SLEC props/ They came in either 10" or 12" versions. Your tube of parts should have included an instruction sheet. I will look for mine later and scan it.

I had bought a set of the variable pitch props fromHobby Lobby years ago, but I chickened out and never used them.eventually I gave them away to someone else.
I think the set I had wasn't in flight adjustable though. You dialed in the pitch you wanted on the ground when the engine wasn't running.

They were discussing them here too: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=992229

I'm not interested in using the Schneider VariProp or SLEC Multiprop as much as I am trying to sell them. It appears that they are more a collector's item as it would seem to me. From the above information the Schneider was sold by Hobby Lobby in 1979 for about $125. I have no information about the SLEC and am trying to contact the manufacturer in England regarding them.

Just trying to put a price tag on them both.

Thanks - Ed