Trying to find wooden propeller

[Bis]

Hello all,
I am currently building the SE5 and then the Fokker. These will be for display only and I'd like them to have a realist looking wood prop. I tried carving one with not to much succes. Is there any company out there that makes realistic looking wood props? I found a few that are for actual flight and don't look like something from 1918. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Bis

[Chris A.]

You have a challenge in that the SE5a series aircraft had some with 4 bladed propellers. However there are plans on the web for the Seimans Schukert DIII ;ste WWI german fighter which has plans for a four blade build up propeller. Once you find the plan, you'll have to scale it up to meet the scale size for the SE5. It is a laminate that you could try a scale run with heavy paper or light 1/16 balsa for the laminates. It would be a real project, but the the results using light and dark wood could be spectacular. I've seen it done and it sets off a model quite well. I suggest this as I know of no source for the scale propeller you need for the model.

[Bis]

Thanks for the reply. Some of the Se5a models came with 2 bladed props. I tried carving a prop from 1/2inch balsa with no luck. I looked on another forum and found what the original props looked like and they are not what the instructions show but I not going to be that picky, I just want anything but plastic. Again, thanks for the reply.

[Squid61]

If it's a static model you might consider a laminated cardboard prop.

[Bis]

Squid61, thanks for the reply, where would I find a laminated cardboard prop?

[Squid61]

Squid61, thanks for the reply, where would I find a laminated cardboard prop?

You build it up. A few pieces of white cardstock, dampened, shaped and bent around a jar or bottle. To get the laminated wood effect you can stain each lamination to varying degrees with tea or coffee before gluing them up. If you prefer to carve one I'd suggest something other than balsa, perhaps clear pine/spruce or basswood. Balsa is so soft it is hard to carve, tends to "bunch up" in front of the blade.

[Bis]

Squid61, again,thanks for the reply. I will give it a try again. I was just hoping someone made a prop ready to go but I guess not.

[Bill Gaylord]

Some hobby shops have Zinger, Master Airscrew, and other wooden props in stock, some sitting there for years. Find one close to what you want, strip off the finish, reshape the tips, and restain.

[Bis]

Thanks for the reply, I checked with the nearest hobby shop (90miles away) and they don't have any. I looked on line and the few I found listed them by a number such as 20. I don't know what size that is. I'm going to try carving another one. Thanks again.