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Old 21st December 2004 | 11:08
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Genghis the Engineer
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As a rule of thumb, a 3-blade will always give greater efficiency than a 2-blade with the same mean chord, due to the greater disk density.

However, they are more expensive, heavier, require more maintenance and because of the greater propeller turning drag and inertia will tend to give slower engine response times - which are the reasons why you often see 2 blade props in preference to 3-blade.

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