When we joined the Team Race circuit most teams were using Bartels glass fibre propellers. Bartels had a very comprehensive range from boat types through to 18 inch for R/C flyers which also included control line and free flight.  Team race propellers were available but not in unlimited supply this was mainly due to the constant changes in design and style that many teams were using this made it very difficult for a commercial supplier to keep pace with new types.

We visited Jurgen Bartels where he showed us the details of prop manufacture, from then on my brother and myself decided to make our own props this lead into the starting of Tribe Bros/Total Product propellers (ask the Canadians where the name Total Products came from).  Jurgen became a very good friend of ours over many years.

Jurgen at work

Jurgen and us note 16mm camera

Both of us selling props with me holding the bottle of light refreshment.

We proceeded to manufacture glass fibre props for many classes from 1/2A, Goodyear, Team Race and B team race, we used to keep a record of the total number of props we produced but lost count after many thousands!  I still have many of the original moulds as the photo shows, I am not sure if I would wish to start production again bearing in-mind we used to make up to 30 props per night working at gas mark 6, however if anyone would like one I am sure I could help.

Myself reworking a prop at a World champs

Mr Total Products

 Another phase of my modelling experience.

2020 Feb. Just some other bits found.

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