I know that SSC uses a Master Airscrew 8X3 prop... Is there only one such prop from Master Airscrew? I could only find one at Tower Hobbies.... I recall reading something about a "blue" MA prop for SSC... Is this something important or is my memory lapsing -- again? [:@]

TIA!

Yes, there is only 1 MAS 8x3. At the request of the RCCA, MAS changed the color of the 8x3 to make it blue to make it easy to visually tell that everyone is using the correct prop.

However, there are still some black MAS 8x3 props out there that haven't been broken yet. If you have them, they are legal, and you can use them. You get have a CD check to make sure it's the right prop, but that's the worst that can happen.

FWIW.......

The black props and the blue props are of a differant mold, just look at the back of the hub section if you doubt me.

Secondly since SSC is rpm based you will find out the black ones are higher rpms.. IMHO its possible that the black resin may be prone to depitch more under load, than the blue resin. Black plastic color concentrate is known to be the garbage color concentrate in the plastics industry since all types of plastic scrap can be reground and be an acceptable black. (ie why
MAS props are black) Colors however may show contaminants more easily and create higher scrap levels if they where to monitor their color match quality............

So just know what your rpms are between the two, neither one out performs the other.........

I never noticed the different mold, but I don't doubt it.

I did notice that the black props ran a little higher RPM than the blue ones.

A lot of guys think the blue ones are more brittle and break easier than the old black ones.

However, after it's all said and done, in the air, they are close enough to not matter.

GalenB-

The one MAS 8X3 prop that Tower shows on their website is the one you want(need)for SSC. The Tower photo shows a black prop, but they will be blue when you recieve your order.

Swede

Just make sure and check the balance on the blue ones. I don't think I have found one yet that balances, and some are far enough out to cause bad vibration problems.

Cajun[8D]

I hate balancing props, espcially combat props, and espeically SSC combat props. I just go through so many of them. I once broke 10 props during an 8 round contest. Really. Once in a trim flight, and I had one round where I lauched, mid-aired, changed props, re-launched, and re-mid-aired.

If you order from Winsor, you can still specify the black props, but they've changed the formulas and now they are just as bad as the blue ones... Guess they needed to increase their bottom lines, cause if they don't break, you don't reorder as often...