Bolly props -- fact check

[frank williams]

I would like to know if this is true or not ... maybe just conspiracy theory. 

I had heard at one time, that Bolly props made a deal with a China company to produce his props.  China took the molds to China and he never heard from them again.

Fact? or not

[Craig Beswick]

Bolly have been made in China for some time.

Last year I asked for a delivered price for some 3 blade propellers to Australia. I was told one price then it was altered because not all the props were in stock in the US. They said they would have to be shipped from China to the US then to me.

I asked if they could be shipped directly to me from China, no go.

I ended up walking away from the purchase. $50US for a Chinese made product then $80US for delivery. Didn't make any sense to me.

Craig

[Curare]

Are we talking about the tan coloured Bolly Props? As I understand it Haoyae bought the bolly moulds, and revised them a bit to work for their blend of plastic.
The BL line of props are about as close to a Bolly tan as I think you're going to get these days.
http://www.haoyemodel.com/html/en/piclist-41-1.html

[qaz049]

I would like to know if this is true or not ... maybe just conspiracy theory. 

I had heard at one time, that Bolly props made a deal with a China company to produce his props.  China took the molds to China and he never heard from them again.

Fact? or not

It was slightly more complicated than that, but the story is basically true.  That was confirmed to me by the Business Owner. It happened a long time ago now, and a lot of water has passed under the proverbial bridge. There were a large range of specialist propeller moulds involved for very useful sizes. Not the same as the Sportsman range, I suspect. Things may have changed in the last decade and newer products may be available in large quantities from a different partner in the Celestial Kingdom.

[Geoff Goodworth]

Several years ago, I obtained several of the black, Haoye Clubman props and did direct comparisons of the Haoye and original Bolly Clubman (tan) props in the 9.5 x 4.5 and 10.5 x 4.5 sizes. The models were a Ringmaster powered by an LA 25 and a Profile Smoothie powered by a Brodak 40.

With my basic flying skills, I could not detect any differences and experienced observers outside the circle were convinced that the props performed the same.

[Paul Wescott]

Are we talking about the tan coloured Bolly Props? As I understand it Haoyae bought the bolly moulds, and revised them a bit to work for their blend of plastic.
The BL line of props are about as close to a Bolly tan as I think you're going to get these days.
http://www.haoyemodel.com/html/en/piclist-41-1.html

I wonder why their website says “get a quote” instead of <add to cart>.  In this day and age of instant gratification if they would just sell them like HobbyKing or Banggood they would sell a ton.  Get a quote?  Not me…

[Brett Buck]

I wonder why their website says “get a quote” instead of <add to cart>.  In this day and age of instant gratification if they would just sell them like HobbyKing or Banggood they would sell a ton.  Get a quote?  Not me…

    Because there is a minimum order (50 units for the carbon props) They are made to order.

   Brett

[Reptoid]

Bolly carbon props were originally made in Adelaide, Australia by Les Bollenhagen and likely still are. I visited Les at his home way back in the 80's in Adelaide, Aus as I was there doing some work with British Aerospace, Australia. Had dinner (tea in Aus) with him and purchased a few racing props from him. I have since lost touch with him but according to his website Bolly props, the carbon props are still made in Aus. (special order) I believe he sold the rights to the mass produced molded nylon props.
Randy Smith would be the best info source about the molded carbon ones