I sent photo's to the manufacturer and he assured me these are superficial in the paint. He has seen them before and what is happening is the nickel edge is wrapped around to the backside and to keep it from strobing they paint the flat black on most of it. The nickel is more rigid then the carbon fiber and try as they might they cannot keep the paint in that area from cracking. He also stated they would be checked out thoroughly when they get them. The only question I have is how am I supposed to tell the difference between a crack that needs attention and one that doesn't.
I debated wether to mention this now or wait until our props were inspected, but since any inspection won't happen until the week after Thanksgiving I thought it was a good idea for anybody else using a W.W. prop to inspect before further flight. These cracks are on the backside and extend from the edge but not over the top to the front and they are on the hub end of the nickel plated edge. I cannot say for sure how long they have been there. We are sending both props back for grease leakage at the hub and noticed these cracks while getting them ready to ship. Both blades, both props. Another reason for posting, found them on two props, are there more? I'm only a member of the Bearhawk family and do not post on other sites, so only Bearhawks with W.W. props will likely see this post. if anybody knows of others with W.W. props tell them to check them over. These could be just superficial and not a problem, I just don't know and won't know until they are inspected and I will post anything I find out ASAP. I can't imagine any crack superficial or not would't be a problem but I'm not the expert, just the observer.
I debated wether to mention this now or wait until our props were inspected, but since any inspection won't happen until the week after Thanksgiving I thought it was a good idea for anybody else using a W.W. prop to inspect before further flight. These cracks are on the backside and extend from the edge but not over the top to the front and they are on the hub end of the nickel plated edge. I cannot say for sure how long they have been there. We are sending both props back for grease leakage at the hub and noticed these cracks while getting them ready to ship. Both blades, both props. Another reason for posting, found them on two props, are there more? I'm only a member of the Bearhawk family and do not post on other sites, so only Bearhawks with W.W. props will likely see this post. if anybody knows of others with W.W. props tell them to check them over. These could be just superficial and not a problem, I just don't know and won't know until they are inspected and I will post anything I find out ASAP. I can't imagine any crack superficial or not would't be a problem but I'm not the expert, just the observer.
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