James Moore and Sons operated a timber yard and joinery in Melbourne. They appear to have been the earliest corporate manufacturers of aircraft propellers in Australia. If the date of manufacture, 1909, is accepted as correct this propeller predates powered flight in Australia by about a year and even predates the first free, heavier-than-air flight in Australia which was made at Narrabeen in December, 1909.

The propeller is a copy of a French Chauviere Integral which appeared at the Olympia Show in London in 1909. The propeller in the show was of 2.1 metre diameter designed for use on a three cylinder Anzani engine.

It was purchased by William Ewart Hart who was the first pilot to obtain an aviator's licence in Australia. This licence was issued to him on 5 December, 1911 by the Aerial League of Australia under the aegis of the Royal Aero Club, London.

Source:

Powerhouse Museum