Last week, I built a long-range FPV drone using the Chimera 9 ECO frame, and while researching the required components, I came across Master Airscrew, a US brand with a tradition in propeller manufacturing. So far, I have only used HQprop, Dalrop, and Gemfan propellers, and although they never disappointed me, I was curious to test if these 9″ Master Airscrew props can surpass them in performance.
Propellers usually have 2-3 numbers in the product name for easy identification. The first represents diameter, the second pitch, and the third is the number of blades.
In a nutshell, pitch is the twist on the propeller’s blades. It represents the distance a propeller would move in one revolution through a soft cheese :). It is similar to the advance of screws in wood -every rotation is going deeper by a specific distance. For example, the 3MR 9×4.5 props have a 4.5-inch pitch, meaning that after one spin, it will move forward 4.5″.
Master Airscrew 9″ 3MR 9×4.5 and MR 9×4.5 review
Disclosure: I received these propellers for a product review collaboration with Master Airscrew. Although the products were offered for free, all opinions in this article remain my own, and the sponsor did not influence me.
Windsor Propeller was founded in 1978 by the U.S. Navy test pilot Frederick Templeton Jamieson, and it specializes in manufacturing high-quality model aircraft propellers made from Glass Fiber Reinforced Composite, Maple, and Beach wood. All company products are designed and manufactured under the registered brand name MASTER AIRSCREW in California, USA. Their product ranges in four main categories: Model airplanes, DJI drones (almost all series MINI, Air, Mavic, Phantom, and FPV including AVATA), Other camera drones (Hubsan, 3D SOLO, and Autel), and Multirotor propellers (CineLifter, X-class Racing, Long-Range, and Freestyle). They have propellers specialized for electric motors and gas/glow engines.
I opted for two models from the wide range of 9″ propellers available. Both propellers are nicely packed in a color-zipped bag with the US flag on it to strengthen the product’s origin. The 3MR 9×4.5 propellers are sold individually (CW or CCW), and the MR 9×4.5 ones are in pairs (two CW or two CCW).
After the package was shipped, I noticed that the props have 6mm shaft diameters, and my motors have 5mm. Master Airscrew has moderately priced compatible adapter rings, but it was too late for me. Luckily, I found the STL file on Thingiverse and 3D printed them using Nanovia TPU 70D semi-rigid filament.
Both Master Airscrew 9″ propellers are made from Glass Fiber R composite material with a nice glossy black finish. The two have identical blade geometry. The 3-blade 3MR 9×4.5 weighs 14.5 grams, and the 2-blade MR 9×4.5 9.7 grams.
To provide the best performance, most Master Airscrew blades, including these two nine-inch propellers, are factory-balanced. A well-balanced prop means less vibration and less stress to the motors, plus quieter.
Master Airscrew 3MR 9×4.5 3-blade propeller technical parameters
| Propeller diameter | 9″ / 228.6 mm |
| Propeller pitch | 4.5″ / 114.3 mm |
| Number of leaves | 3 |
| Shaft diameter | 6 mm (adjustable via adaptor rings) |
| Hub thickness | 8 mm |
| Direction of rotation | CCW/Tractor/Normal CW/ Pusher/Reverse |
| Material | Glass Fiber R Composite |
| Color | Black |
| Weight | 0.51 oz / 14.5 g |
Master Airscrew MR 9×4.5 2-blade propeller technical parameters
| Propeller diameter | 9″ / 228.6 mm |
| Propeller pitch | 4.5″ / 114.3 mm |
| Number of leaves | 2 |
| Shaft diameter | 6 mm (adjustable via adaptor rings) |
| Hub thickness | 8 mm |
| Direction of rotation | CCW and CW |
| Material | Glass Fiber R Composite |
| Color | Black/Orange/Green |
| Weight | 0.34oz / 9.7g |
Pricing, availability, and other options
The 3MR 9×4.5 propellers are priced at $8.97/pcs, and the MR 9×4.5 ones are priced at $7.65/pair in black or $8.65 for orange and green colors. You can order it directly from the manufacturer’s website or online platforms like Amazon. If you need the best performance for your 9-inch cine-lifter drone, the X Power 9×8 three and five-leaf propellers are available for $13.47/pcs. For an extra $2.97/set, you can order shaft adapter rings (1/8”, 3/16”, 5/16”, 3mm, 5mm, 6mm).
3 Blade vs 2 Blade Propeller: Which is Best for your FPV Drone?
In the table below, I compared the most important factors to consider when choosing between two and three-blade propellers.
| 3-blades | 2-blades | |
| Overall performance | In theory, 3-blade props provide the best balance of efficiency, thrust, and grip. | – |
| Motor power | – | Two-blade propellers require less powerful motors. |
| Efficiency | – | Higher efficiency as compared to 3-blades. |
| Speed | – | Faster speed as compared to 3-blades. |
| Maneuverability | 3-blade propellers favor quick maneuvers smoothly. | – |
| Noise | Generally, three-blade props are quieter than two-blade props. | – |
| Crash resistance | – | They are more durable than three-blade as they are less exposed during collision. |
| Packability | – | Drones with two-blade props require less space, as they can align with the fuselage. |
| Weight | – | By design, two blades are lighter than three-blade ones. |
| Price | – | Usually, 2-leaf props are cheaper than 3-leaf ones. |
We can conclude that two-blade propellers are suitable for racing FPV drones where weight and speed are critical, and three-blade ones for Cinematic drones where you need stability, maneuverability, less noise, and more thrust to carry extra payloads (camera).
Happy New Year 2024!