[mssl72]

Originally Posted by Lee Stewart

Spitfires had 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 blade props during WWII. As the engines got bigger they kept adding blades to the props. Sorta the same with the P51 Mustang. Started with 3 blades then went to 4 when the big RR Merlin engine was installed.

I believe there is still a 5 bladed Spitfire at the Santa Monica Air Museum. I haven't been to the museum in a while and it has since moved to the other side of the airport from what I heard. I remember seeing it fly at the Van Nuys airshows in the 90's. It was following some P51s as they made low high-speed passes over the airfield. I remember how distinctive the sound was for this Spitfire.