[Aerocraft]

The number of blades are a function of how much horsepower is driving the propeller. I believe the four blade came after the three blade and was a result of the installation of an engine bigger that the original P&W R2800 which was what is driving the three bladed propeller shown in the picture of "795". If you look closely, you can see much larger cowl flaps on "5" which is a clue to what could be a bigger engine, I believe in that case, a P&W R4360.

As the number of blades increase, the efficiency drops. Theoretically, a single blade, counterbalanced propeller is the most efficient.


Gar Williams