When
did Hartzell Propeller Inc. enter the propeller business?
When Orville Wright moved to Oakwood, Ohio in
1914, he became acquainted with his neighbor, George Hartzell. George’s son, Robert,
had a strong interest in aviation and was encouraged by Orville to begin making propellers
at his father’s walnut wood products business. Robert left the University of
Cincinnati in 1917 to begin the propeller venture. The United States had just entered
World War I and the war effort created an instant and almost unmanageable demand for
Hartzell Walnut Propellers. Hartzell supplied propellers to nearby Dayton-Wright Airplane
Company, as well as Glen Curtiss’ company and other early aviation pioneers.How is "Built On Honor" associated
with Hartzell Propeller?
"Built On Honor" was the guiding
principle of Robert Hartzell and continues to serve the company today.
Does Hartzell Propeller still
manufacture wood propellers?
Hartzell made 2-, 3- and 4-blade wood
propellers from walnut, oak, ash, maple, and spruce between 1917 and 1964. While major
production of wood propellers ended in 1946, Hartzell continued to produce a few wood
propellers for large engine test clubs and service requirements until our wood propeller
type certificates were sold to Sensenich in 1964.
How did Hartzell Propeller begin
manufacturing all metal propellers?
Hartzell initially manufactured metal blades
for Hamilton-Standard and Curtiss during World War II. In response to customer requests,
Hartzell designed and manufactured our first controllable aluminum-bladed propellers in
1948. Our first constant speed aluminum-bladed propeller was introduced in 1952.
When did Hartzell Propeller
begin to manufacture composite bladed propellers?
In 1945 Hartzell developed the world’s
first composite propeller blade using a fabric-based plastic material, which was dubbed
Hartzite. This blade construction was patented in 1949 and was used on the Republic
Seabee. Hartzell reintroduced composite blades in 1978, this time using KevlarŪ , an
advanced aramid fiber system for the CASA 212. Since that time Hartzell has been in
continuous production of composite blades for various applications.
I have a wood propeller with a
"Liberty" decal. Did Hartzell Propeller Inc. make these?
During World War I, Hartzell began
manufacturing propellers for use on Liberty engines and these were originally named
"The Liberty Propeller, manufactured by the Hartzell Walnut Propeller Company".
In 1918, Hartzell received an order for 1000 Liberty propellers at $800 each from the U.S.
Navy.
What airships use Hartzell
propellers?
Hartzell made propellers for various airships
almost from our beginning. During the 1930s, we manufactured propellers measuring 16-18
feet in diameter for Goodyear’s USS AKRON (built in 1931) and USS Macon (built in
1933). Today, the familiar Goodyear Blimps continue to be equipped with Hartzell
propellers, including the world’s most advanced airship The SPIRIT OF AKRON, which is
equipped with ducted propellers that are reversible and vectorable. |