In message , Peter Twydell
writes
In article , frank may
writes
Well, counter rotating props eliminate torque on twin engined
airplanes & on at least some, improves the single engine performance &
handling. However, your question really seems to be about
contra-rotating props, which is the case of a single engine driving 2
props on a co-axial shaft, rotating opposite of each other. Same
thing, it eliminates the torque & therefore makes the airplane more
docile. Contra-rotating props are same shaft, same engine, like a late
Seafire or Shack or Bear. Counter-rotating are separate engines, like
the P-38 or F-82 or several twin engine Pipers.


Then there's the case (unique AFAIK) of the Fairey Gannet. The Double
Mamba engine is in fact two Mambas side by side, each driving one of
the two props. One half could be shut down to allow economical loiter.

Wasn't the Gannet designed for naval officers to fly standing up?

Mike
--
M.J.Powell