Mollis air show (Switzerland)

[petermcleland]

The Spit looks like a high back XVI & the engine is a Merlin (Rolls or Packard) because its a RH tractor - Griffons are LH tractor.
Keith

Just googled it - Its apparently correctly called a LF XVIe with a Packard Merlin 266.
K

I see that prop as a LH Tractor...I thought it was to be viewed from the front and that one goes anti-clockwise from the front.

[Tomliner]

Great pics in a spectacular location Toby.I've always liked the big props so the Connie in particular appealed to me.On a purely aesthetic note, I always preferred the looks of the shorter nosed(non radar?) types of Connie.
Of course,the Dak is another great favourite but they are all great photos EricT

[Dev One]

Peter, I thought the english definition of rotation was from the pilots perspective, i.e. anti clock from the cockpit = LH tractor.
FS9 & FSX propeller direction in the aircraft .cfg also refer from pilots eye view. Presumably same direction would be LH pusher if rear engined?
Most UK engines are LH, whilst most US engines are RH. Griffon I think had an extra gear wheel in the reduction box - hence change of rotation. Not sure about a pure jet - no torque effect & difficult to see the rotation in a Hunter!
Keith

[sketchy74]

Fantastic images, the valley walls certainly make a great background to emphasise speed.

[petermcleland]

Peter, I thought the english definition of rotation was from the pilots perspective, i.e. anti clock from the cockpit = LH tractor.
FS9 & FSX propeller direction in the aircraft .cfg also refer from pilots eye view. Presumably same direction would be LH pusher if rear engined?
Most UK engines are LH, whilst most US engines are RH. Griffon I think had an extra gear wheel in the reduction box - hence change of rotation. Not sure about a pure jet - no torque effect & difficult to see the rotation in a Hunter!

Keith,

Yes you are right...Now I think about it, I remember you swing the Tiger Moth prop clockwise from the front and I know that is classic English. So if English is LH tractor then it must be as viewed from the cockpit which would then be anti-clockwise-Left.

BTW you get the odd FS aircraft where the prop rotates the wrong way and is really a pusher!

[DaveB]

This 'tractor' lark will confuse folk forever I think I've just had a reacquaintance with Wiki which for RR states that all Merlins are RH tractor (unless otherwise noted) and this equates to clockwise when viewed by the pilot. A further check on a video of MH434 shows the prop does turn clockwise when viewed by the pilot

I always thought our Tynes were clockwise (RH tractor) but they're not. They're clockwise when viewed front to rear which would make them LH tractor

I'm certain to forget this again

ATB
DaveB

[petermcleland]

Correction...Yes that seems to be correct on that Spitfire...Dave, does you source also say which way the Griffons turn?

That means my Tiger Moths propeller went the wrong way round...I'm glad someone else always swung it!

[DaveB]

Yes.. awfully inconvenient when it swings back the wrong way As far as I'm aware Peter, the Griffon's were LH tractor.. certainly the 5-blade MkXVIII

ATB
DaveB

[Dev One]

I would have not been too happy to swing a RH tractor prop as I'm Right handed - possibly why Hucks invented his engine starter?
Keith

[gordon-in-aberdeen]

If its any help folks, have a look at the prop of the BoB PR Mk XIX variant Spit in my Leuchars photos. It's a 5 blade prop on a Griffon engine. Prop turns clockwise from the front