Item Description
Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. The B-17 Bomber is one of the most iconic aircraft ever designed, becoming symbolic of the United States’ Air Power Superiority during World War II. This is a full early-war 3-blade propeller set that could have been used on a B-17E, a B-17F, a B-24D, or a C-47. The set comes in pieces but can be connected by its original hub assembly, as shown in the photos. The blades are all labeled to Hamilton Standard, made by Windsor Locks, Connecticut, a Division of the United Aircraft Corporation. This was the only maker of the B17 Propellers, only manufactured between 1936 and 1945. This would easily become the centerpiece of any aviation collection if mounted properly.
We have conducted a great deal of research into this propeller set, and we are offering it in the best way possible, so although these blade models were used on the B-17, we are unsure whether this exact set was used on a B-17, B-24, or C-47. As these propeller models were used on a myriad of aircraft during and after World War II, these blades likely saw service on multiple.
In 1930, Hamilton Standard introduced to the aviation world the first practical controllable pitch propeller. The device was simple and effective. To achieve maximum takeoff power, the pilot shifted a lever in the cockpit. Oil pressure from the engine actuated a piston, attached to the propeller, which twisted the blades to low pitch. The propeller revolved rapidly, taking small bites of air and maximizing thrust.
The Hamilton Standard Hydromatic propeller represented a major advance in propeller design and laid the groundwork for further advancements in propulsion over the next 50 years. The Hydromatic was designed to accommodate larger blades for increased thrust, and provide a faster rate of pitch change and a wider range of pitch control. The Hydromatic entered production in the late 1930s, just in time to meet the requirements of the high-performance military and transport aircraft of World War II.
The propeller’s performance, durability and reliability made a major contribution to the successful efforts of the U.S. and Allied air forces. Following the war, the Hydromatic design permitted the incorporation of other significant features, including reverse pitch, which afforded another safety measure by shortening the landing roll of large commercial transports.
The internals of the propeller are absent, none of the bearings or actual internal workings of the propeller are present, this set is good for display but will NOT work as originally intended. All that are present are the blades, hub assembly, and cover.
The propeller blades are numbered 6353A-18 on two blades, and 6353A-12 on the third.
The set includes:
-3 Propeller Blades all marked Hamilton Standard, each measuring 66½” long and 10½” wide at its widest point. Two are Model 6353A-18 and one is 6353A-12. Each have a myriad of other markings.
-Hub Assembly that the propellers fit into. This piece is very dirty but the one marking we can find is H 45909.
-Front & Rear Barrel Half with 12 (3 sets of 4) holes that can be riveted to hold the pieces together around the set. We do not have the rivets. The top includes the integrated dome shell which has the carrying handle connected to the top which can be screwed off. With the two stacked including the handle, it is roughly 25½” tall. Markings include 2484-A, H9377, & W82641 H.
The three blades all fit snug onto the key block, the cover of which lays on top but can’t be fully secured without the bolts. The blades each retain their yellow paint on their tips. The blades are each marked and serial numbered in several places, including DWG 6353A - 18 as the blade part number on two of the blades. The third blade is marked 6353A - 12. Part of the key-block cover is marked W82641 H. The blade assembly piece where the 3 blades meet is very dirty but marked H 45909. There are obviously far too many markings across every piece of this to list each individually.
As previously mentioned, the propeller blades each measure 66½” long and 10½” wide without being attached to the key block. Each of the three blades retain part of the Hamilton Standard sticker, although one is severely degraded. The blades all have remnants of black tape remaining as well. The blades are silver-colored on one side and darkened on the other. The patina on each blade is concurrent and makes the set appear both vintage and war-torn!
This is without a doubt one of the most outstanding pieces of aviation history we have ever offered. This set would look fantastic put together and mounted on the wall, or hung from the ceiling, although this would require some hefty work given the weight. This is the first set of its kind we have offered, and won’t show up again for a long while, so don’t miss out. Comes ready for further research and display!
Weight: Each BLADE weighs 65-70lbs, and in total it is close to 300 lbs. Will be delivered via TRUCK FREIGHT with curbside delivery.
The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is an American four-engined heavy bomber aircraft developed in the 1930s for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC). A fast and high-flying bomber of its era, the B-17 was used primarily in the European Theater of Operations and dropped more bombs than any other aircraft during World War II. It is the third-most produced bomber of all time, behind the American four-engined Consolidated B-24 Liberator and the German multirole, twin-engined Junkers Ju 88. It was also employed as a transport, anti-submarine aircraft, drone controller, and search-and-rescue aircraft.
The B-17 saw early action in the Pacific War, where it conducted air raids against Japanese shipping and airfields. But it was primarily employed by the USAAF in the daylight component of the Allied strategic bombing campaign over Europe, complementing RAF Bomber Command's night bombers in attacking German industrial, military and civilian targets. Of the roughly 1.5 million tons of bombs dropped on Germany and its occupied territories by Allied aircraft, over 640,000 tons (42.6%) were dropped from B-17s.
At the start of 2024, six aircraft remain in flying condition. About 50 survive in storage or are on static display, the oldest of which is The Swoose, a B-17D which was flown in combat in the Pacific on the first day of the United States' involvement in World War II. There are also several reasonably complete wrecks, such as underwater, that have been found. That makes this propeller set one of very few in private hands. Finding a single blade is a challenge in itself, but to find a complete 3-blade set with the hub-assembly cover for display is truly extraordinary.
- This product is not available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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