100" 1918 Matthews Brothers Hamilton Standard Curtiss HS US NAVY WWI Flying Boat Wooden Airplane Propeller

The Beginning of the Hamilton Standard Legacy

The beautifully preserved 100+ year old decals on both sides of this propeller represent an important and very short-lived chapter in American aviation history. Matthews Brothers Manufacturing Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin was an established woodworking manufacturer that entered aircraft production during World War I. With the enormous wartime demand for wooden aircraft propellers, the company brought in pioneering aircraft builder and propeller designer Thomas F. Hamilton to head its aviation operations.

The propeller carries the names of both parties, with “Matthews Bros. Mfg. Co. – Milwaukee, Wis. U.S.A.” surrounding Thomas Hamilton’s distinctive winged logo. Matthews Brothers supplied the manufacturing facilities, skilled woodworkers and woodworking expertise, while Hamilton directed the company's aircraft and propeller production.

The partnership proved to be an important stepping stone in aviation history. Following the war, Hamilton purchased Matthews Brothers’ propeller business and in 1919 established the Hamilton Aero Manufacturing Company in Milwaukee. Ten years later, Hamilton Aero would join with Standard Steel Propeller to form Hamilton Standard, which became one of the most important aircraft propeller manufacturers of the 20th century.

The surviving Matthews Brothers/Hamilton decals therefore place this propeller at the very beginning of the manufacturing lineage that would eventually become Hamilton Standard.

This original 100 inch airplane propeller was used on the Curtiss HS US NAVY Flying Boat Airplane during World War 1.

This 100 inch propeller dates back to the early 1910's (most likely in the 1917-1919 range)

Manufactured by Matthews Brothers Manufacturing Co.

Complete with (4) amazing original Matthews Brothers Hamilton Milwaukee, Wisconsin Decals.

Awesome original Alligator crackling WWI patina.

Made from laminated Wood and Metal Leading edges

100 inches Long x 11-1/2 inches Wide x 3-1/2 inches thick

Markings Include:

US Navy Anchor Symbol
Matthew Brothers Manufacturing Co.
N-11620
8'4' L..H.
S.E. 5090

This same propeller type can be seen on the only complete Curtiss HS-2L flying boat in the world.  The La Vigilance (G-CAAVC) belonging to Laurentide Air Service Ltd. (The first major bush flying airline in Canada) displayed at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa, Ontario.

The Curtiss HS was a single-engine patrol flying boat developed for the US Navy during WWI, heavily produced from 1917 to 1919. Widely used for anti-submarine patrols from French bases, it continued service until 1928, also seeing civilian use.

The Curtiss Aeroplane Company initially designed a twin-engine flying boat, the H-14, but following disappointing results, it was redesigned to a single-engine model, the HS-1. After testing various engines, the Liberty 12 engine was chosen, and the aircraft was re-designated as the HS-1L. To carry larger bombs, the HS-2 with extended wings was created, eventually evolving into the definitive Liberty-engined HS-2L. The HS-3, an improved version with a wider hull, was not mass-produced due to the end of the war.

The HS-1L and HS-2L were produced in large quantities by Curtiss and various contractors. They started service in 1918, conducting anti-submarine patrols from US Naval Air Stations and from the Panama Canal Zone. They were also used heavily in France, with about 160 units deployed. Post-war, many became surplus and were sold off. Some entered US Coast Guard service, while others were used by the US Army Air Service. Several were exported for military and civilian use, notably in Brazil and Canada.

The HS series had several variants, including the HS-1, HS-1L, HS-2, HS-2L, and HS-3, each with different engines, wingspans, and hull designs. They were operated by various countries including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, and the United States.

The HS-2L had a crew of 2 or 3, a length of 39 ft 0 in, a wingspan of 74 ft 1 in, and a height of 14 ft 7 in. It had a wing area of 803 ft2, an RAF 6 airfoil, and an empty weight of 4,300 lb. Powered by a Liberty L-12 engine, it had a gross weight of 6,432 lb and a 4-bladed fixed-pitch pusher propeller. The HS-2L had a maximum speed of 82.5 mph, a range of 517 miles, an endurance of 4 hours 30 minutes, a service ceiling of 5,200 ft, and could ascend to 2,300 ft in 10 minutes. It was armed with one 0.300 in Lewis gun and could carry two 230 lb bombs or depth charges.

This propeller is being sold for display only. Perfect for your home, office, restaurant, hotel lobby, bar, hangar, mancave, garage, etc.