Cool Looking prop

Dick Russ Mon Jan 24, 2022 11:27 am

Master Airscrew sent me a 3 bladded prop to try on the streaker. I took it out yesterday and it really flew great. I am attaching a picture to share with you. I think it looks real cool on the plane and really pulls well in the air. Several watchers clapped as it took off. I will attach a picture for you to see how it looks.
Getting ready to go out again this afternoon. 62 degrees and 7 MPH wind in Yukon OK.

Ken Cook Mon Jan 24, 2022 3:34 pm

Dick, please list that size. I don't know if that would work as a alternative prop for control line as it would seem to me it would put a lot of load on the engine and then the drag factor of the lines. I would be interested in trying it though. Props seem to be diminishing at a fairly quick rate for us nitro lovers.

1/2A Nut Mon Jan 24, 2022 3:42 pm

Great, post a vid on you tube / share the link!

Let us all see how well you have matched the TD .049 to your kit plane.

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**Admin** Tue Jan 25, 2022 1:00 am

That looks fantastic. I’d love to see a video as well.

Surfer_kris Tue Jan 25, 2022 2:48 am

Looks like their 5x3, 3-blade, prop?

Dick Russ Tue Jan 25, 2022 7:26 am

Ken Cook wrote: Dick, please list that size. I don't know if that would work as a alternative prop for control line as it would seem to me it would put a lot of load on the engine and then the drag factor of the lines. I would be interested in trying it though. Props seem to be diminishing at a fairly quick rate for us nitro lovers.

Well there is always some disapointment sometimes with testing. The prop is a 5-3 and at first I was impressed when it looked cool and seemed be a good choice. The plane seemed to fly ok but after landing I went back to the two bladed 5-3 and the plane took off quicker and was flying faster and pulling vertical manuevers better. Based on that I have decided to stay with the two bladed prop. Years ago when I was flying for Commander we did some actual flight tests with both a 3 blade and a two blade prop on the Commander 500S and all our data showed the two blade props to be faster and more efficient. It looks like the same goes for the model props as well.

batjac Tue Jan 25, 2022 1:58 pm

Dick,

I have a couple of those props I bought for a twin project that uses counter rotating props on TD .049s, as the MA props were all I could find in left- and right-handed 3 blade 5 inchers. They seemed a little thin and flimsy for the TDs to me so I never tried them. Did you find any issues with their thin blades? I don't need maximum performance, just three blades.

The Concerned Mark

sosam117 Tue Jan 25, 2022 2:03 pm

Dick Russ wrote:
Ken Cook wrote: Dick, please list that size. I don't know if that would work as a alternative prop for control line as it would seem to me it would put a lot of load on the engine and then the drag factor of the lines. I would be interested in trying it though. Props seem to be diminishing at a fairly quick rate for us nitro lovers.
Well there is always some disapointment sometimes with testing. The prop is a 5-3 and at first I was impressed when it looked cool and seemed be a good choice. The plane seemed to fly ok but after landing I went back to the two bladed 5-3 and the plane took off quicker and was flying faster and pulling vertical manuevers better. Based on that I have decided to stay with the two bladed prop. Years ago when I was flying for Commander we did some actual flight tests with both a 3 blade and a two blade prop on the Commander 500S and all our data showed the two blade props to be faster and more efficient. It looks like the same goes for the model props as well.

With a 3-blade prop would you go down in pitch or dia?
Using a 2-blade 5x3 prop then switching to a 3-blade prop, shouldn't the 3 blade then be a 5x2.5 or 5x2 prop?
Check the RPM of the 5x3 2-blade verses the 5x3 3-blade.
I think the 3-blade 5x3 might be loading up? Too much prop?

Dick Russ Tue Jan 25, 2022 6:07 pm

I feel you are right about the pitch but the plane flys so great with the two blade I'm just going to stay with it. I am presently using a 5.5-4 pitch and it seems perfect for the Streaker and the .049TD. I'm able to fly it like a pattern plane which is surprising for such a small plane weighing only19 ounces. The best part is even though our wind has been 13 MPH the little plane seemed to care less. The only problem I have had on landing on our grass strip is once on the ground on the roll out it always stops on its nose. Doesn't hurt anything just a little embarssing that I can't do a nice roll out to stop without going over on it's nose even with full up elevator. Maybe in the spring when we mow the field it will be better, Our grass is pretty high rght now. When I take it out next week I i'll see if I can get a video of it in the air.

1/2A Nut Tue Jan 25, 2022 6:58 pm

Dick Russ wrote: When I take it out next week I'll see if I can get a video of it in the air.

Now your talking, lets see that bird carve some air up
How much is the all up RTF weight less fuel?

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Ken Cook Tue Jan 25, 2022 7:52 pm

The 5x3 3 blade provides as much load as a 2 bladed 6x3 and possibly more. I was hoping it was smaller. Ideally a 4" 3 blade would suffice as the TD needs to turn up.

Dick Russ Wed Jan 26, 2022 8:56 am

[quote="1/2A Nut"]

Dick Russ wrote: When I take it out next week I'll see if I can get a video of it in the air.

Now your talking, lets see that bird carve some air up
How much is the all up RTF weight less fuel?

THe flying weight of mine is 19 ounces

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Cool Looking prop