Prop Blades

[Av8r3400]

Since there's not a Prop forum, I'll post this here:

What are the merits for different blade counts on a propeller?

Nothing being constant, of course, but from what I've read, a long, two blade prop usually gives the best thrust at low speed, and three blades are often smoother in operation. More blades usually leads to higher drag at speed, but look at the war birds with three, four and even some five bladed props. These were the fastest propeller driven planes.

I see IVO makes a 6-blade prop. What would the application be for this? Air-boat, trike, PPC? I've never seen one on a fixed wing plane.

Would anyone want to have a discussion about this topic?

[b_avidflyer2]

I took ultralight lessons in a Moyes Dragonfly about 8 years ago that was also used for towing hang gliders. It had a 582 and a 6 blade IVO prop. That plane would pull the hang gliders up at 30 MPH. It really did climb like a homesick angle. Take care, Jim Chuk