How many blades did the Spitfire's propeller have?

Short answer

Up to six: some early Mk 22s had a six-bladed contra-rotating propeller to absorb the Griffon's 2,035 hp and cancel torque. Most flew with the five-bladed Rotol, as did the last model, the F.24 with a Griffon 85. On one Seafire variant it had four.

Published: November 1, 2026 · Updated: November 1, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

How many blades did the Spitfire's propeller have?

Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk IX MH434 in flight at the 2018 Season Premiere AirshowAirwolfhound (CC BY SA), vía commons

The maximum: six blades

Some early Mk 22s received a six-bladed contra-rotating propeller, capable of absorbing the Griffon's 2,035 hp and cancelling engine torque. Whenever the Griffon drove six blades, it was always a contra-rotating unit. Most of those aircraft, however, flew with the large five-bladed Rotol propeller.

Five blades on production Griffons

With the Griffon, five blades were the norm. The F.24, the last Spitfire model, was powered by a Griffon 85 driving a five-bladed Rotol propeller. One of those F.24s served with 80 Squadron.