This propeller was built as a test prop for Classic Aero Machining Service (CAMS) based at Omaka Airfield, Blenheim, NZ. The two different colours of the propeller are due to two different woods being used - sapele mahogany and ramin. This prop was made to test out and trial one of CAMS's gnome rotary engines. Video courtesy of CAMS. See their FB page HERE

See what’s hiding in the other side of the Fox Prop workshop! Most of these have been restored by Jeff

A demo of how the wooden boards would be laid out in the press bed as if it were glued

The actual gluing-up of a Tiger Moth propeller, then setting it in the press bed

Watch a time-lapse of the copy-lathe giving the propeller a rough cut (process before copy-routing)

Watch how a propeller gets a more refined carve in the copy-router machine

Here Jeff demonstrates how he gets the rough shape for the several boards that make up a propeller. Using a laminate template, he traces around the shape for that specific board, then cuts it out, ready for the gluing process.

A satisfying time-lapse of a Tiger Moth propeller being copy-routed

This is a typical sight, smell and sound in the woodwork side of Jeff's workshop on any given day! SOUND WARNING

Back with our friends at Classic Aero Machining Service - testing Gnome Rotary engine with 2x different Fox Props

A Sopwith Pup tests out a new Fox Prop, made for a 1 and ½ strutter. A nice wee flight over Blenheim, NZ. TURN THE SOUND UP!

Wooden Tiger Moth Propeller Varnished & Ready for Brassworks

Here's a process called "peening" (I laughed too) - where once the holes are drilled into the propeller, rivets are placed in the hole, the flat head of the rivet is snipped off, then the rivet post is hammered in to be flat, or "peened". This then gets soldered over and made flush. We have nearly fully completed the propeller!

It seems like a crime to drill holes into this beautiful shiny propeller! But there is method to the madness.... these are the holes that will hold the brass edging onto this Tiger Moth prop!

It's time to solder over the rivets and screws that hold the brass work on to the wooden propeller. It needs to be flush (flat) so that no water or nasty bits get into the grooves. The solder then needs to be filed down to be smooth and non-shiny, otherwise the shine can blind the pilot!

And just like that, these 3 Tiger Moth propellers are DONE!

Well.... the two shiny ones just need a final rub-down so the shine doesn't blind the pilot!

We found some old footage from circa 2020 when Jeff carved out a propeller for a Fokker DR1/8 plane. It ended up going to CAMS in Blenheim/Omaka (see at the end).