Aeroplane Monthly 1978-09
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R.Riding - Comper Swift /British pre-war ultralights/ (2)
Scorpion-engined prototype Swift G-AARX
Gipsy Major-engined Swift G-ABWW
Salmson-engined Swift G-AAZD
The late Bill Woodhams, one-time owner of the Scarlet Angel, at one with his aircraft as he formates on the AIR PORTRAITS camera aircraft over the Warwickshire countryside in November 1968.
Swift G-ABUA was originally owned by Miss Fidelia Crossley, daughter of Sir Kenneth Crossley, and was sold in Java in November 1934.
S.T.Lowe's mount for the 1937 King's Cup was G-ABWE, hideously modified with faired-in wing struts, close-fitting wheel fairings and streamlined engine cowling.
Swift G-ACAG was sold in Australia in December 1934 and became VH-UVC. It was airworthy until the late 1960s.
One of three Gipsy-engined Swifts produced by Comper, G-ABWW was powered by a 130 h.p. D.H. Gipsy Major and made its public debut at the 1932 King's Cup Race.
Fitted with a 120 h.p. Gipsy III, G-ABWH was initially purchased by the British Air Navigation Company Ltd for the 1932 King's Cup. The following year it was fitted with a sliding hood and shipped to America to compete in the Roosevelt Field Air Races as NC27K.
The Swift at Roosevelt Field, still with British markings
Richard Shuttleworth’s Gipsy Swift, G-ACBY, photographed in India at the time of the Viceroy Trophy race in 1933.
Registered PK-SAQ, the Swift was modified with a longer nose.
Two Swifts were exported to Switzerland, becoming CH-351 and CH-352. Later they were allocated the marks HB-EXO and HB-OXE, but only HB-EXO was taken up, as CH-352 was sold in France as F-ANHO. CH-351 is seen here at Dubendorf, Zurich.
Alex Henshaw’s Swift G-ACGL, in which he won the Siddeley Challenge Trophy in July 1933 with an average speed of 128 m.p.h. The aircraft survived until 1942.
Flt Lt R. P. Pope took delivery of the last British-registered Swift, G-ACML, in 1934.
The Spanish aircraft designer J. Rein built Swift, EC-AAT, seen here in the ferry markings EC-W12.
Alban Ali’s Scarlet Angel, VT-ADO, photographed in India at the time of the Viceroy Trophy Race during Ali’s attempt to fly from India to Heston.
Fitted with a 120 h.p. Gipsy III, G-ABWH was initially purchased by the British Air Navigation Company Ltd for the 1932 King's Cup. The following year it was fitted with a sliding hood and shipped to America to compete in the Roosevelt Field Air Races as NC27K. The photograph shows it at Croydon with American markings.
Gipsy Swift G-ABWH was sold in Australia and became VH-ACG.
Pobjoy-engined Swift G-ABWE