Curtiss HS Flying Boat Airplane Propeller manufactured by Lang Propeller Co. of America Inc.
This original 104 inch airplane propeller was used on the Curtiss HS US NAVY Flying Boat Airplane during World War 1.
This 104 inch propeller dates back to the early 1910's (most likely in the 1917-1919 range)
Partial original Lang of America decal.
Original WWI Battle patina.
104 inches Long x 13 inches Wide x 5 inches thick
Only Marking on blade is on top of hub: 2825B
This propeller is being sold for display only. Perfect for your home, office, restaurant, hotel lobby, bar, hangar, mancave, garage, etc.
The Curtiss HS was a single-engine patrol flying boat developed for the US Navy during WWI, heavily produced from 1917 to 1919. Widely used for anti-submarine patrols from French bases, it continued service until 1928, also seeing civilian use.
The Curtiss Aeroplane Company initially designed a twin-engine flying boat, the H-14, but following disappointing results, it was redesigned to a single-engine model, the HS-1. After testing various engines, the Liberty 12 engine was chosen, and the aircraft was re-designated as the HS-1L. To carry larger bombs, the HS-2 with extended wings was created, eventually evolving into the definitive Liberty-engined HS-2L. The HS-3, an improved version with a wider hull, was not mass-produced due to the end of the war.
The HS-1L and HS-2L were produced in large quantities by Curtiss and various contractors. They started service in 1918, conducting anti-submarine patrols from US Naval Air Stations and from the Panama Canal Zone. They were also used heavily in France, with about 160 units deployed. Post-war, many became surplus and were sold off. Some entered US Coast Guard service, while others were used by the US Army Air Service. Several were exported for military and civilian use, notably in Brazil and Canada.
The HS series had several variants, including the HS-1, HS-1L, HS-2, HS-2L, and HS-3, each with different engines, wingspans, and hull designs. They were operated by various countries including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, and the United States.
The HS-2L had a crew of 2 or 3, a length of 39 ft 0 in, a wingspan of 74 ft 1 in, and a height of 14 ft 7 in. It had a wing area of 803 ft2, an RAF 6 airfoil, and an empty weight of 4,300 lb. Powered by a Liberty L-12 engine, it had a gross weight of 6,432 lb and a 4-bladed fixed-pitch pusher propeller. The HS-2L had a maximum speed of 82.5 mph, a range of 517 miles, an endurance of 4 hours 30 minutes, a service ceiling of 5,200 ft, and could ascend to 2,300 ft in 10 minutes. It was armed with one 0.300 in Lewis gun and could carry two 230 lb bombs or depth charges.