Thorp Air Command - T18.net

want to replace wooden propeller with metal. Any suggestions on which propeller would be used. I have 0-320 e2d.

Ron

Ron, I'm curious. Why do you want to change from wood to metal?

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Scott Hinton
Elizabeth City, NC
N78WG

Ron, The Sensenich 70CM6S16-0-79 was designed for the 0-320 RV's. It is also aprooved for the 0-320 t-18.
I have been using one since 1996 and really like it. Dean N11DC.

Ron The 70CM6S16-O79 Sensenich is very good at midrange
it gives you speed and economy. The downside is its limited
to 2600 RPM cont. I got one. J.P

Along these lines…Anybody flying a Prince Composite on an 0-320?

Thanks, Terry

My friend Ray McNally in Midland, Ontario has the Prince prop on his Mustang II and really likes it. It's probably one of the fastest/lightest Mustangs built.

Jim

I took off the Sensenich 2 blade for O-320 w/ 2600 RPM red line, from Marilyn's (my wife's) RV-4. I installed the Sensenich 2 blade composite ground adjustable prop. She loves it. Fast take off, smooth operation, no worrysome RPM limit, and fast.
I love how easily it went on with the Saber extension and bolts. Perfect fit with no hand fitting required.
On the advise of an RV-4 driver who had one, I used pitch pin #5, with 6 available settings. That's 3 pins, with two setting per pin.
I ordered it @ 68" diameter instead of the 72".
On the other hand, 'Feisty' my T-18 has a Ted Hendrickson wood prop, 68x68, which is perfect for the O-290.

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Scott Emery
EAA Chapter 326
T-18 N18TE

Thanks Scott, That's the kind of info I need to make a decision on which prop to get for 218TH. It's always easier to copy what somebody else has tried and found works instead of reinventing the wheel.

Terry

I completely agree with Terry about finding others who have already crossed that bridge.

So along those lines,... has anyone tried putting the Sensenich 72FM8 prop on their Thorp? If so, what pitch? That prop was designed for the RV community but Sensenich claims it's good on a Thorp. (I've got some more detail in another thread titled "Powerplant/Metal Prop")

Also, has anyone tried using the Sensenich spinner that goes along with that prop? Im worried that it might be a tiny bit too big for the Thorp cowling.

Thanks,
Tom

PS With a 150hp, I was running a 76EM8S16-6-74 and was happy with it, but with more power (180) this seems just too underpitched.

I have no prop yet. It's always a question of budget....
Catto
Sensenich ground adjustable
Sensenich metal prop
Prince
Sterba
I continue reading you guy's but at this moment I'm lost.....

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Thierry
French Canadian T-18
C-FPVE #091

I think you should also consider Performance Propellers. http://performancepropellersusa.com/ I have one and I like it and it was very reasonably priced.

Hey Ryan, Thanks for offering another option. For those of us looking. Which engine do you have? What prop diameter and pitch did you go with and what type of performance numbers do you get?

Thanks, Terry

I called Frank at Performance Propellers and told him I had an 0-360 on a Thorp T-18. He told me what diameter and pitch I needed and I went with it. I would have to get out my prop documents to see what I ended up with, but I told him whatever he thought was good, was ok with me. If you decide to go with his prop, call him and talk to him about what you want, and he will make it. After you fly it for a few hours, if you decide you want more cruise or climb, you can send it back to him for re-pitching (at no further charge, I believe). I would say I average about 168 KTAS at about 2475 RPM. I see those numbers anywhere from 180MSL up to about 4000MSL. Air temps have been anywhere from the 90's to the 30's and barometer has been anywhere from say about 29" to 31". My plane weighs 1002 pounds. I haven't gone any higher yet because I am just about to get to a point where I feel like my engine is now broken in after a major overhaul. I see all those numbers with full fuel and just me onboard.

I could climb at 2000FPM, which is about 120 KIAS, but my CHT's will get hot (I call 400 degrees "hot") that way. I easily climb at 1500FPM with no problems.

I am about to send my prop back for painting, leading edge treatment and antiglare application. I am considering asking him to see if he can tweak the pitch to squeeze a little more cruise speed out of it, but I see about 2250RPM now on takeoff, so I may just leave well enough alone.

Somebody try the warp drive propellers? The price is interesting but I don't want to be a test pilot. I want to invest in realistic performance!

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Thierry
French Canadian T-18
C-FPVE #091

I will start with a Warp drive on the mean machine. They test everything on airboats! We can't beat that
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