Construction of Wooden Propellers

[OleBoy]

I thought this to be very interesting. Thought I'd share.
My apology if this has already been posted.

Footage from the early NACA era at NASA Langley Research Center. The NACA were unable to obtain contractors to complete the construction of the blades because of the unusual size and specifications that were required. These blades would fill the new tunnels the NACA were creating. The process is extremely interesting to watch as these modelmakers were taught how to make these large blades. Several men worked on a blade at one time making teamwork very important to the process.

Part 1- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9UbnJlhrHA
Part 2- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR3e8waXuWk
Part 3- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS-XqOsxBHY

For more on NASA Langley's West Model Shop, see http://crgis.ndc.nasa.gov/historic/1150

[TARPSBird]

OleBoy, thanks for posting those links. The laminating process for the blades in particular was interesting. Lotta manpower working together in a short time frame to get everything stacked and glued.

[aeronca1]

Some of this makes me cringe. No eye protection, no hand protection, using bare hands to feed planers, band saws etc. Yikes!

[stansdds]

Some of this makes me cringe. No eye protection, no hand protection, using bare hands to feed planers, band saws etc. Yikes!

The world was a different place before the creation of OSHA.