Here is a photograph of the bottom of a propeller blade. Lots of markings and I don't have a clue what any of them mean! What information is contained here? Can we identify the type of aircraft based on this information? 
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Well, it's an Army Type 97 rated for 650 Horsepower. There is an Army Type 97 engine that put out 650 HP made by Nakajima which was used on the Army Ki-27 fighter. -
Yes, a propeller for the Type 97 Fighter, made in December 1941. This propeller was developed by a Yamaha engineer by the name of Matao Sanuki, then in his late 20s. He travelled to Germany in early 41 to bring back Junckers' propeller feathering and manufacturing technology, but his way home through Siberia got closed down due to the opening of hostilities between Germany and the Soviet Union, which forced him to remain in Germany until November 1943. He was also a prolific and popular writer after the war about technical subjects and his books are still well read today by car engineers and the like. One of his books discusses how things were in wartime Germany from the rare viewpoint of a Japanese civilian stranded there nearly 3 years. I've read one of his modern travel essays about Germany and remember how he liked to comment on German Bundesbahn train design, from its ashtrays to toilets, etc.Comment
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Nakajima "Nate"
Thank you, gentlemen - that's really interesting information! Although, I must admit to being a little bit disappointed to learn that this propeller blade was manufactured in December 1941. Believe it or not, this piece has a documentable lineage straight back to Pearl Harbor! Obviously, however this propeller may have gotten there, it was not left behind on December 7th!
For everyone's interest, here is a picture of the complete unit: two prop blades and the iron mounting hub! Yet another rare and unusual item out of the Virginia woodwork...Comment
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The story and the item don't seem to match, as Pearl Harbor doesn't sound right for a Type 97 Fighter, a land-based army fighter plane, not a navy plane taking off from a carrier. These planes were not anywhere near Pearl at that time, but in Malay Peninsula supporting the landing operation against the British positions there.Comment
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Originally posted by Nick Komiya View Post
I agree with your comment, Nick. Basically, the story and the item don't seem to "jive" together. However, please allow me to say that the gentleman that brought this souvenir home to Virginia, did, in fact, work on various reconstruction projects in and around Pearl harbor - see period newspaper article dated August 1943. The story handed down in the family (and told to me personally by the man's son) is that the propeller was found in Pearl Harbor. Impossible to prove - but exciting to think about! It is entirely possible that it was found somewhere else...
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Great find! I imagine Hawaii was a large "clearinghouse" of sorts for all kinds of stuff during the war when personnel were transitioning back to the US. Maybe your guy was lucky enough to get these items home due to his position and circumstances. Just a thought.Comment
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Technical Air Intelligence Unit-South West Pacific was formed in late 1942 and began sending back Japanese aircraft and parts from New Guinea that same month. Hawaii was a collection point for some of this material before being shipped on to Wright Patterson or NAS Anacostia. If something was deemed excess or obsolete they didn't waste the resources shipping it on the States.....so the story could be technically true! Just not acquired on Dec. 7th.
It is an awesome piece, amazing what turns up!Comment
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