Why Didn't Late Generation LW Fighters Use Four Blade Props?

[Six Nifty .50s]

Originally Posted by George Hopp

The wider -- wooden -- blades gave a better climb, and the narrower -- metal -- blades gave a better level top speed.

A propeller also must be durable enough for a combat aircraft. Some of the pure racing blade designs were not practical for military use. The same principles applied to motor boat propellers for the coastal forces, always resulting in a design compromise between maximum speed and maximum acceleration.