I own an RV-4 with an O-320, 160hp that came with a Prince propeller installed. This propeller always seemed over pitched, it would only pull about 2550 rpm flat out and static was 2050 rpm.
Feeling like I could get better climb and more top speed rpm I corresponded with MT propellers and Smokey Ray to find the best prop solution for my RV. My brother had just bought a new constant speed scimitar 3 blade MT for his Mooney, so I thought that MT would be the way to go, keeping light weight by going composite and staying fixed pitch.
Smokey was very helpful, sending me pictures of his MT prop, and giving me performance figures, albeit with a 0-320 that was modded for 170 plus horsepower. Thanks Smokey and thanks to MT for their great response to my inquiries! I really can't thank Smokey enough for all his emails and pictures.
In the interim, right before placing an order with MT, I talked to Lonny Prince about redoing my prop, cutting it down to provide more static rpm, hopefully improving climb and allowing the engine to run max horsepower. As I was doing an annual, my A&P removed the prop. I sent it to Mr. Prince in the Sensenich box that my hanger mate had just received the new prop for his RV-8 in. Mr. Prince said he could give me what I wanted, and the results were worth the wait.
I got the prop back and it was beautiful. I sent Mr. Prince a gray fiberglass prop and he returned to me a black epoxy masterpiece, with a urethane leading edge. After installing the prop I couldn't wait to hop in the plane and try it out. Unfortunately it was a pretty hot day but static rpm was up to 2200. I took off, climbed over the field, man, it felt stronger in climb but that's kinda subjective without measurements. Unfortunately I did not have much time to fly as I bungled into the gust front of a thunderstorm (did not see the storm due to heavy cumulus) and ran back to the airport with my tail between my legs to try another day.
Back to Smokey. Seems he sold his RV-4 to a friend at the airport. What a coincidence! Now we could really compare the performance between two RV-4's, one with 160hp and a Prince carbon fiber prop and the other 170hp with a fixed pitch MT. We flew against each other this week and there are some interesting differences. Smokey's old RV-4 is about 5mph faster. But I have to throttle back my RV-4 to stay in formation climbing out. I take off faster, I know because we took off four times in formation. And in a climb with Smokey's old RV in trail I can steadily pull ahead, it can't keep up. Of course, MT could easily make a prop with better climb characteristics. My point, is that Lonnie Prince makes a prop every bit as good performing as an MT, and it is much prettier, does that matter? I need to send in a picture.
So, there you have it. Thanks again to everyone. First to Mr. Prince for making such a fine product. Second to Smokey for all your help, and for selling your RV-4 to Demo. Don't count out Prince when buying a prop, he really is a great guy to work with, a real Prince. There, I had to say it.
Feeling like I could get better climb and more top speed rpm I corresponded with MT propellers and Smokey Ray to find the best prop solution for my RV. My brother had just bought a new constant speed scimitar 3 blade MT for his Mooney, so I thought that MT would be the way to go, keeping light weight by going composite and staying fixed pitch.
Smokey was very helpful, sending me pictures of his MT prop, and giving me performance figures, albeit with a 0-320 that was modded for 170 plus horsepower. Thanks Smokey and thanks to MT for their great response to my inquiries! I really can't thank Smokey enough for all his emails and pictures.
In the interim, right before placing an order with MT, I talked to Lonny Prince about redoing my prop, cutting it down to provide more static rpm, hopefully improving climb and allowing the engine to run max horsepower. As I was doing an annual, my A&P removed the prop. I sent it to Mr. Prince in the Sensenich box that my hanger mate had just received the new prop for his RV-8 in. Mr. Prince said he could give me what I wanted, and the results were worth the wait.
I got the prop back and it was beautiful. I sent Mr. Prince a gray fiberglass prop and he returned to me a black epoxy masterpiece, with a urethane leading edge. After installing the prop I couldn't wait to hop in the plane and try it out. Unfortunately it was a pretty hot day but static rpm was up to 2200. I took off, climbed over the field, man, it felt stronger in climb but that's kinda subjective without measurements. Unfortunately I did not have much time to fly as I bungled into the gust front of a thunderstorm (did not see the storm due to heavy cumulus) and ran back to the airport with my tail between my legs to try another day.
Back to Smokey. Seems he sold his RV-4 to a friend at the airport. What a coincidence! Now we could really compare the performance between two RV-4's, one with 160hp and a Prince carbon fiber prop and the other 170hp with a fixed pitch MT. We flew against each other this week and there are some interesting differences. Smokey's old RV-4 is about 5mph faster. But I have to throttle back my RV-4 to stay in formation climbing out. I take off faster, I know because we took off four times in formation. And in a climb with Smokey's old RV in trail I can steadily pull ahead, it can't keep up. Of course, MT could easily make a prop with better climb characteristics. My point, is that Lonnie Prince makes a prop every bit as good performing as an MT, and it is much prettier, does that matter? I need to send in a picture.
So, there you have it. Thanks again to everyone. First to Mr. Prince for making such a fine product. Second to Smokey for all your help, and for selling your RV-4 to Demo. Don't count out Prince when buying a prop, he really is a great guy to work with, a real Prince. There, I had to say it.