The FIRST Brand New Aircraft that our fledgling RNZAF ever bought was the (now ULTRA RARE) Vickers Vilderbeest

http://forums.howwhatwhy.com/s howflat.php?Cat=&Board=air &Number=280465

These Vickers Vilderbeeste were initially equipped with a THREE BLADE propeller, but later were "upgraded" to a two-blade propeller

This 3 BLADE-type propeller is probably one of the ONLY REMAINING EXAMPLES IN THE WHOLE WORLD

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vickers_Vildebeest

12 Vildebeests were purchased by the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1935 for coastal defence, with a further 27 acquired from RAF stocks in 1940-41. In addition, 60 or 62 of these machines, (depending on source), were passed on to the RNZAF.

Kiwi Vildebeests were also used for photo mapping. A few were used for maritime patrols against German surface raiders, and Japanese submarines, (a handful were based in Fiji in December 1941), but the main war time role of the New Zealand aircraft was as particularly unwieldy pilot trainers, until replaced by North American Harvards in 1942.

It seems the individual propeller blades have been manufactured from wood, and then covered with canvas. The center boss is all metal with a numerical code that includes two "V"'s (All Vickers made items were named SOMETHING that started with a "V"

There WAS also a Vickers Vampire but as only 4 were ever built & NO RNZAF use of these, I opt for Vilderbeest

The canvas skin is much the worse for weather presently, but the woodwork beneath seems hard & reasonably free from rot, This irreplaceable old propeller deserves some loving restoration (NOW placed in inside-storage)

This item is sold "on behalf" & will NEED to be collected by buyer from where it is currently sited.

Propeller is NOW DISMANTLED & will EASILY fit inside any normal car or station wagon

FREE DELIVERY within Auckland Metro

Buyer must undertake & organise shipping

Now that it is DISMANTLED into 4 parts ? Shipping should NOT be too problematic