More on Whirlwind RV10 props 2 & 3 blades
A little info:
Whirlwind makes what they've named the 'RV10 Prop'. This is a 2 blade composite prop that is 'basically' the same as the '200RV' prop with 79 inch blades. I haven't flown behind one yet and (like the original poster) would like to hear from someone that has. It's based on the 13" hub/spinner that is standard on the RV10 cowl. Whirlwind also makes the '400 Rocket' prop. I was the first to fly one of these props on my F1 Rocket (AFAIK). This is an entirely different prop than the 'RV10' prop. This is a 3 blade, hollow core, wide chord, composite, swept tip design with nickel leading edge that wraps all the way around the tip. The '400 Rocket' prop fits under a 15" bulkhead/ spinner due the larger 3 blade hub design. That said, I've been involved with Whirlwind and James Aircraft for the last few months working to get the '400 Rocket' propeller bolted up to the RV10. In order to make this happen, Whirlwind was able to make the hub fit inside of a 14" bulkhead/spinner. Will James has an RV10 cowl that has a 14" flange. So, in order to use the Whirlwind '400 Rocket' prop on an RV10 you'll need to delete your stock cowl (13" flange) from the kit and order the James (14" flange) 'holy cowl' instead. One of the issues with the set up was folks wanting to install air conditioning on their RV10. Whirlwind also made another rear bulkhead that is conical shaped (same as the rear spinner bulkhead on my F1 Rocket) which moves the spinner forward about 1.6". The hub doesn't change....just the location of the rear bulkhead and spinner. Along with this Will James has extended the cowls to move the flange forward. This provides an extra 1.5" clearance for the engine driven A/C compressor. Sam and Will James also modifed the air inlet diameter for the rings and plenum by another 1" for additional cooling. I understand this has been tested with very positive results. I'm finalizing this set up on the RV10 at my shop (with Flightline A/C) as we speak and should be finished in 4-6 weeks. 'Hopefully' it'll all work out and folks will be able to have their choice of the Whirlwind 'RV10' 2 bladed prop with Vans stock cowls (13" spinner), or....drum roll please.....the Whirlwind '400 Rocket' 3 bladed prop with the James Aircraft 'holy cowl' (round inlets) 14" spinner.
I believe the Whirlwind '400 Rocket' prop/James cowl & induction system is going to be
one hot set up for the RV10. As soon as this RV10 is completed I'll be working with a customer on my 4th RV10.......guess what prop/cowl/ac set up that one is getting......good guess
!!
While we're comparing props (not the original posters intent??), whenever I build ANY PART for one of my planes it has to meet 3 criteria:
1 - it has to be safe
2 - it has to be functional
3 - it has to LOOK GOOD
I'll just say that the MT prop meets 2 of my rules
.
The Hartzell meets all 3.
The Whirlwind meets 1 & 2 and exceeds #3
.
I've built and flown my share of RV's/Rockets, and flown in or alongside them with just about any prop/engine combo you can imagine. The Whirlwind prop is by far my own personal favorite in overall performance, looks, sound, reliability, and customer service. That's why I gladly accepted when Whirlwind asked me some time ago to be a dealer for their propellers.
Everybody that knows me knows that I call 'em like I see 'em....good or bad
. If you want to talk about my 400 Rocket prop slip me an email or call. If you decide that you want to purchase a Whirlwind prop for your RV10 down the road give me a yell......I'm sure I can save you some $$$
.
Of course, I'll get some performance/comparison data when this project is completed (almost there) and tell you all about it.....good or bad.
