THE HERCULES FLITZER FLIES

The Hercules Flitzer has finally flown after being reassembled following long term storage.  The test pilot reported excellent handling qualities with it's light, crisp and powerful controls.

Now to make it a Hercules Propeller.

VANS RV7 WOODEN PROPELLER

At the other end of the spectrum of aeroplanes we cater for, here is a wooden propeller we have just finished - designed and manufactured by us for a Lycoming O-360 powered Vans RV 7.

LATEST TIGER MOTH PROPELLER

Just finished and ready for dispatch, an all-varnish Tiger Moth propeller.

BAC DRONE

Recently finished, a propeller for a BAC Drone powered by a Bristol Cherub engine.

We deal with the obscure here!  Check out those mudguards...

BUGATTI 100P PROGRESS

The gearbox and propeller drives have arrived in Oklahoma, USA, having been manufactured in the UK.  Here is a picture of an initial test fitment of the gearbox into the nose of the aircraft and the Hercules made propellers also attached.

Find out more about this very exciting project here: http://www.facebook.com/TheBugatti100pProject


Donate and become a part of the project here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/525000827/reve-bleu-bugattis-blue-dream-will-finally-fly

LEGERE STAMPE SV4 PROPELLER

Just arrived at the Hercules Propellers workshops, an original fitment Stampe propeller from the Renault 4P powered French classic.  We will be overhauling and re-finishing this propeller as well as collecting co-ordinate data so that we can produce a reproduction of this propeller.

C90 VAGABOND PROPELLER

Just in from a customer in England, pictures of a very fine Vagabond, now going faster than ever since fitting a Hercules wooden propeller.

COMPANY FLITZER

The Hercules Propellers Staaken Z21 Flitzer is close to being ready for test flying, having been brought out of long term storage at the beginning of this year.  The aircraft is currently fitted with a Newton propeller but following a data collecting test flight, a Hercules Propeller will be designed and manufactured for it.

SWEDISH CUB

Next out of our finishing shop is a propeller for a Continental C85 powered J3 Cub.  This propeller is destined for Sweden.  Hercules Propellers manufacture export propellers throughout the globe.

NEW YORK TIGER MOTH

The propeller for Wim Stapel's Tiger Moth is finished and ready for dispatch.

Stamped hub

DH 60 GIPSY MOTH PROPELLER - G-AAMY

These pictures have just arrived from Henry Labouchere in Norfolk, England, showing the DH 60 Moth fitted with the wooden propeller designed and manufactured by Hercules, ready for test running.  The aircraft is to be shipped to it's new home in Kenya.

What a lovely scene of vintage Moths at Henry's hanger in the English spring time.

WESTLAND WIDGEON PROGRESS

The Westland Widgeon reproduction propeller has now been CNC machined.  This, our latest wooden propeller has now progressed to the finishing shop for sanding.

The Widgeon prop in our finishing shop.  The curved tips are formed by hand after machining,

Finishing cut second side.  Note the 'barbelling' or curved sides to the hub

Rear side roughing cut completed

Rear side finishing cut completed.  Note the protective propeller leading edges are machined with the propeller from the beginning.

JUST FINISHED...

Here are two propellers just finished and about to be dispatched to our customers.  Yellow tips is destined for a Corby Starlet with 2180 VW Conversion, under construction.  Red tips is for the company demonstrator Savannah at Sandtoft Ultralights with a Jabiru 2200 engine.

GRASS STRIP AVIATION

This is the Fokker Eindecker replica available in kit form from our friends and neighbours at Grass Strip aviation.  It's a comprehensive, easy build kit, great value for money and you get brilliant factory support from the guys George, Robin and Shaun.

See the blog: http://grass-strip-aviation.blogspot.co.uk/

Hercules have designed a propeller specifically for this aircraft, not only to look correct for the era but to optimise performance as well.

HAND STAMPED HUB

George stamps the propeller data to the hub of a Tiger Moth propeller prior to painting.

WESTLAND WIDGEON UPDATE

On the 25 th March we blogged that we were about to start work on a reproduction Westland Widgeon propeller, working from original DE HAVILLAND AIRCRAFT CO. LTD drawings.

We have now created the 3D CAD model from plotting co-ordinates from the original drawings.  We have used our CAM software (Computer Aided Manufacture) to create CNC tool path programs for the CNC machine to make the propeller.  Below are some images of the CAD model and the original drawing.  The tips are drawn square as they remain attached to the parent material in the machine and are shaped by hand at a later stage of manufacture.

This propeller is the next to be machined so we will post pictures as soon as there is something to see.

FLOTTORP PROPELLER

Just finished and ready for dispatch is a Flottorp propeller.  Made in the USA, probably in the 1950's this example is in fine condition and now we have worked our magic with it, it is good for many more years of service.  Our customer supplied the correct decals which have really finished off the restoration beautifully.  This propeller will be flying on a Continental A-75 powered Corben Junior Ace.

Bugatti 100P Project - call for support

The Bugatti 100P reproduction is possibly the most exciting current aviation project in the world.  The original aircraft was built by Bugatti's just prior to WW2 and was very nearly ready for test flying when the German invasion put an end to the original project, making the aircraft the most famous never to fly.

This is the first ever reproduction of the aircraft and is being built to fly in Oklahoma, USA with a truly international engineering input.

The propellers for this aircraft have been manufactured by Hercules propellers in the UK.

The project team are appealing for financial help to complete the project and see the aircraft flying through crowd sourcing.  Why not donate a small amount to the project and enjoy the satisfaction that you helped to make this truly amazing and historic aircraft fly.

Visit Kick Starter for a video, pictures and info.  You can even get your name engraved on the aircraft for just $25 USD

Go to: 

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/525000827/reve-bleu-bugattis-blue-dream-will-finally-fly

The Bugatti propellers built by us.

Pietenpol Air Camper

We have just received these two pictures of Graham Hewitt's Air Camper which he has recently finished building to a very high standard.  The aircraft has a Continental O-200 engine fitted with a Hercules Propeller.

Graham wrote:

Have now done 10 hours with it & continuous gusty winds have precluded getting accurate figures, however it is beyond any expectations, Due to an extra 200 RPM on my 0200 engine I have better acceleration , improved rate of climb, without any loss of cruise speed compared to my original prop , I would not have thought this possible

Am very impressed by your new web site so hope that my prop may appear on it some time

Congratulations Gramham, here's wishing you many happy flights in your wonderful hand built machine.

Silence Twister

Here is a really nice air-air picture of a Silence Twister, just in from Adrian Hatton of Twister Air Displays.  As you can see from the decal on the starboard wing, Twister Air Displays is supported by Hercules Propellers.  Adrian fitted a Hercules propeller which we specifically designed for his aircraft and he is loving the extra performance the prop has delivered, enhancing his aerobatic displays.

Visit Adrian's website here:  http://twisterairdisplays.co.uk/

Polikarpov Po2

Just out - the April addition of Light Aviation Magazine featuring the Shuttleworth Collection's Polikarpov Po2, pictured below on the front cover.

And yes, you've guessed it, it's fitted with a Hercules Propeller!

Views of the CNC

The new propeller for Wim Stapel's New York Tiger Moth is progressing well and is in the final stages of the CNC machining process.  The pictures below, from top to bottom, show the centre bore and bolt holes inserted which is the first CNC operation, then a picture of the roughing cut on the second (front) side of the propeller and finally, a picture taken a few minutes ago showing the finishing cut moving across the hub. 

There are pictures of Wim's silver Tiger perviously in this blog.

Bristol Scout Replica

This is, from left to right, Theo Willford, David Bremner and his brother Rick Bremner.  They are building an exact replica of a 1915 Bristol Scout and as you can see, it is progressing very well indeed.  The aircraft includes some original parts and will have the correct rotary engine fitted.

At Hercules Propellers, we are using our CAD and CNC facilities to produce inter-plane struts, Cabane struts and undercarriage legs from original factory drawings.

In time, we will also be producing a propeller for this very exciting project.

There is a great story behind this replica, have a look at the project blog.... http://bristolscout.wordpress.com/

Well done guys!  Keep the momentum.