full pattern, thanks for your answer,
I realised how to word my second question a bit better.
Two identical hp engines with appropriate gearing for the following: assume a larger diameter two blade propeller rotating slowly giving tip speed of 200 knots and a certain blade area, now assume a smaller diameter 4 blade propeller with the same blade area as the two blade prop. The smaller prop has a higher RPM to achieve 200 knots tip speed. Each prop blade has the same aspect ratio.
1.Is the only real difference in thrust produced due to the blade interference?
2.Is the only reason we have different blade configurations due to different design configurations, eg ground clearance?
3. Would the two props in above scenario give the same amount of thrust?
I will no doubt have another set of questions after this.
Thanks everybody, my mind just has an insatiable need to understand everything to do with flying/aircraft etc