This is an iconic World War I era two blade laminated wood propeller built for use with the French designed 80 horsepower Le Rhone aircraft engine. The design is instantly recognizable to the birth of aerial combat, conjuring up romanticized imagery of heroic knights in the sky engaging in daring dogfights over the Western Front. The blades are tipped with copper. There are eight bolt holes, a general marker for early wooden propellers. Markings include “No. 60928” and “Rh 80.” “Rh” references the Le Rhone engine that would have been paired with this propeller, and “80” references the engine’s output of 80 horsepower. There are other markings but they are illegible. The Le Rhone is the name given to a series of successful and dependable French designed rotary aircraft engines that powered iconic World War I military aircraft including the Sopwith Pup and Sopwith Camel. The Le Rhone was produced under license worldwide including in the U.S. where the 80 hp version was mated to the Thomas-Morse S-4 Scout, the first U.S. advanced trainer built specifically for pursuit flight training. The German Fokker Dr.I Triplane, made famous by the legendary ace Manfred “The Red Barron” von Richthofen who flew the aircraft to achieve his 19 of his last 80 air-to-air victories, was powered by a copy of the Le Rhone engine. Length: 98 ½ inches. Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection

Very good, with an overcoat of varnish, some filler repairs, and reworked copper with several missing fasteners. The modern bolts with washers and nuts are decorative and could be used for a mounting bracket. Don’t miss your chance to acquire a classic two blade World War I era propeller, a must have for any aviation collection.