4 Bladed Prop on Spifire V?

[Boomerang]

Gentlemen:

Time for another prop question. Arthy and Jessen's Focke Wulf Fw 190 in North Africa has a photo on 52 FG Spifire Vs, where the aircraft closest the camera has a 4 bladed prop. Aircraft code = WD W.

The other aircraft have 3 bladed props, as I would have expected (although I'm no Spit expert).

I assume the photo was taken very late 1942/early 1943.

Was the use of 4 bladed props typical of this aircraft type/time/theatre? If not, why was this aircraft so fitted?

Cheers

Don W

[Graham Boak]

Originally Posted by Boomerang

Gentlemen:
Was the use of 4 bladed props typical of this aircraft type/time/theatre? If not, why was this aircraft so fitted?
Don W

No, it was not normal: possibly unique. I don't have the book handy - could it actually be a Mk.IX or Mk.VIII?

The only members of the "Mk.V family" of Spitfires to have 4-blade props would be the high-altitude Mk.VIs and later Seafires. You do sometimes see Mk.Vs with the 6-a-side exhausts, but not 4-blade props.

[Boomerang]

Hello Graham:

Thanks for those suggestions. I had wondered whether the aircraft was something other than a Spit V. My hope is that, with the aircraft code and its idenfication as belonging to the 31 FG, a forum member can throw some light on why the aircraft had a 4 bladed prop.

Cheers

Don W

[yves]

Hello,

This 4 bladed spitfire is a Mk.IX - EN354 "Doris June II" flown by 1st lt Leonard V.Helton in june 43 at La Sebala (Tunisia)
More photos can be found in American Spitfire Camouflage and Markings Part 2 - page 18 & 19 - (Ventura Publications)

Yves

[Boomerang]

Hello Yves:

Thank you, now I can look at that photo of 31FG Spits, without wondering why there is a single example with a 4 bladed prop!

Regards

Don W