Technology & Tradition
Established in 2008, Hercules Propellers started out as the brain-child of company founder and owner, Rupert Wasey.
In the years since Rupert crafted the company’s very first propeller, things have gone from strength to strength, with hundreds of different propellers having been born in the factory, and hundreds more sent in, refurbished and restored to things of beauty.
Now Hercules Propellers is enjoying great success and is able to boast stunning performance results through employing a highly skilled team. The company produces propellers for a wide variety of types, from First World War fighters all the way through to composite speed and racing machines.
Our team of experienced and exceptional craftspeople have established the company as the world’s real ‘go-to’ manufacturer for all pilots and aircraft operators in need of the highest possible quality and performance wooden propellers.
The Hercules Ethos:
Performance is everything
Every unique aircraft design requires a uniquely designed propeller
Propellers are beautiful, enhanced by the very highest standards of manufacture and finishing
State of the art technology complements traditional craftsmanship
Customer satisfaction is paramount
Rupert Wasey, Managing Director of Hercules Propellers explains how it all started:
Like many pilots, my interest in aviation began at a young age, building flying models before learning to fly gliders as a teenager.
My career in aviation began as a light aircraft maintenance engineer, repairing and overhauling a wide variety of types, from Piper Cubs to Citation Jets, before specialising in more exotic types, working for a company operating a variety of air-display aircraft.
In 2001 I began the mammoth task of scratch-building a Staaken Flitzer, a single seat bi-plane, the design being influenced by German sport planes of the inter-war period. In 2005, the aircraft was completed and won awards but I felt that the performance was not what it should be.
Realising that the propeller was not well matched to the airframe and engine, I spent a considerable sum of money buying and test flying different propellers but none seemed to be correct. The propeller manufacturers I tried didn’t seem to be able to supply a propeller that would efficiently harness the power of the engine.
Typifying the Flitzer, I realised that if I wanted an optimal propeller for my machine, I would have to design and build my own. Two years of studying propeller theory ensued before producing my first examples.
Visiting a friend’s workshop, I saw a CNC (computer numerically controlled) router at work, cutting intricate shapes from wood. Seeing the machine at work, I was instantly inspired that uniquely designed propellers can be produced extremely efficiently. From then, as they say, the rest was history. Workshop premises were acquired before the design and manufacturing process was perfected until we were in a position to offer our propellers to other aircraft owners wanting improved performance and fuel efficiency.
