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The F1 Gets its Prop!

Ironflight

Ironflight

VAF Moderator / Line Boy
Mentor
We’ve had this WW-330 sitting in its crate on followed for some time now - I hadn’t mounted it simply because props get in the way when you;re working. But yesterday it was either mount the prop or do more work on gear leg fairings, so I made the “fun” choice, called a couple of neighbors and in ten minutes the prop was on. I had previously fit the cowl using the “EZ-Cowl” tool, and now am doing just a few more tweaks to get the clearance where I want it - then I guess it will be back to gear leg fairings…..

IMG_8122.jpeg
 
Howdy Paul,

If you want to do a test of the difference in speed/performance between an old MT prop and the Whirlwind, I’d volunteer David’s Rocket. Heck, I’d even let you fly it. My schedule is pretty wide open these days. I could be there this afternoon!
 
I can’t wait to hear your bride say “I’m taking the rocket. What are you flying?”

Nice, very nice looking build.
 
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RWoodard said:
Howdy Paul,

If you want to do a test of the difference in speed/performance between an old MT prop and the Whirlwind, I’d volunteer David’s Rocket. Heck, I’d even let you fly it. My schedule is pretty wide open these days. I could be there this afternoon!
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We’ll do that someday! I don;t however, think this is a good day to fly in this direction……😉

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Ironflight said:
We’ve had this WW-330 sitting in its crate on followed for some time now - I hadn’t mounted it simply because props get in the way when you;re working. But yesterday it was either mount the prop or do more work on gear leg fairings, so I made the “fun” choice, called a couple of neighbors and in ten minutes the prop was on. I had previously fit the cowl using the “EZ-Cowl” tool, and now am doing just a few more tweaks to get the clearance where I want it - then I guess it will be back to gear leg fairings…..

View attachment 110085
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What made you decide to do a 3 blade prop over the Hartzell 2 blade? Does it perform better?
 
Robb said:
What made you decide to do a 3 blade prop over the Hartzell 2 blade? Does it perform better?
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I did a bunch of prop testing a few years ago with the modern three-blade Whirlwinds, the modern three-blade Hartzell, and the two-blade Blended Airfoil Hartzell. While it is still true that a two-blade will be faster than a three-blade of identical blade design, the modern three-blade designs are faster AND climb better than the older two-blade designs. The composite whirlwinds are also significantly lighter than the metal props, and they just look very cool! 😉

I have been flying the three-blade Whirlwinds on a couple of our planes for several years now - love them!
 
Robb said:
What made you decide to do a 3 blade prop over the Hartzell 2 blade? Does it perform better?
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It’s a sexy looking prop.
I’m biased as I have the WW 330-3 on my M1B RV8. Suggested by OG WW for higher comp and they said no grease leak issues. It’s still lighter than the old 2 blade
 
Ironflight said:
We’ve had this WW-330 sitting in its crate on followed for some time now - I hadn’t mounted it simply because props get in the way when you;re working. But yesterday it was either mount the prop or do more work on gear leg fairings, so I made the “fun” choice, called a couple of neighbors and in ten minutes the prop was on. I had previously fit the cowl using the “EZ-Cowl” tool, and now am doing just a few more tweaks to get the clearance where I want it - then I guess it will be back to gear leg fairings…..

View attachment 110085
Click to expand...
Any chance Louise will get the same prop for her -15?
 
Ironflight said:
We’ve had this WW-330 sitting in its crate on followed for some time now - I hadn’t mounted it simply because props get in the way when you;re working. But yesterday it was either mount the prop or do more work on gear leg fairings, so I made the “fun” choice, called a couple of neighbors and in ten minutes the prop was on. I had previously fit the cowl using the “EZ-Cowl” tool, and now am doing just a few more tweaks to get the clearance where I want it - then I guess it will be back to gear leg fairings…..

View attachment 110085
Click to expand...
Ironflight,
Pretty soon you will no longer need to sit in the cockpit and make airplane noises.
It is looking good.
Daddyman58
 
Ironflight said:
We’ve had this WW-330 sitting in its crate on followed for some time now - I hadn’t mounted it simply because props get in the way when you;re working. But yesterday it was either mount the prop or do more work on gear leg fairings, so I made the “fun” choice, called a couple of neighbors and in ten minutes the prop was on. I had previously fit the cowl using the “EZ-Cowl” tool, and now am doing just a few more tweaks to get the clearance where I want it - then I guess it will be back to gear leg fairings…..

View attachment 110085
Click to expand...
What diameter did you get?
 
Robb said:
What made you decide to do a 3 blade prop over the Hartzell 2 blade? Does it perform better?
Click to expand...
I did an exhaustive study of all the 2 verses 3 blade prop options. In the end stuck with the 3 blade after looking at the variables because it simply looks better!
 
Paul: Just saw your article in AV brief on the fuel tank loop venting, what is the function of the loop?
Chris
RV 8 sold
RV4 Getting close.
 
Sanch627 said:
Paul: Just saw your article in AV brief on the fuel tank loop venting, what is the function of the loop?
Chris
RV 8 sold
RV4 Getting close.
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That’s to keep from developing a siphon and draining your fuel - same thing that is done in teh “per plans” vent system in the RV’s, but without the vent plumbing in the fuselage.The Rocket world has done it for decades, and we’ve had it on the rv-3 for a dozen years without problems.
 
Ironflight said:
That’s to keep from developing a siphon and draining your fuel - same thing that is done in teh “per plans” vent system in the RV’s, but without the vent plumbing in the fuselage.The Rocket world has done it for decades, and we’ve had it on the rv-3 for a dozen years without problems.
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I think I’ll give it a try on the 4. 👍

Chris
 
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