Aeroplane Monthly 1978-08
-
R.Riding - Comper Swift /British pre-war ultralights/ (1)
The unmarked prototype Swift being flown, minus spinner, for the benefit of Flight’s photographer at Hooton Park in January 1930.
The Scorpion-engined prototype Swift being flown by Sydney St Barbe at Brooklands on April 17, 1930.
Two views of the prototype Swift, showing the installation of the 40 h.p. ABC Scorpion and the neat, simple cockpit with the altimeter and ASl positioned at eye level in the wing.
In 1930 Swift G-AAZF was fitted with the prototype Pobjoy P engine, and the following year flew in the King’s Cup race, powered by the prototype Pobjoy R. ’ZF was scrapped at Coley's Yard at Hounslow in 1937.
Swift G-ABJR seen at Stag Lane during its short ownership by Air Taxis. It crashed at Brooklands on January 28, 1934, in the inexperienced hands of C. R. Shillingford.
Swift G-ABPE spent a year in Kuala Lumpur before passing to D. F. W. Atcherley. 'PE was written off after crashing in a field in St Albans in April 1947.
C. A. Butler's special record-breaking Swift, G-ABRE, about to leave Heston for Lympne on October 28, from where it left for Darwin. The national press made much of the fact that Butler made the record flight in carpet slippers.
SITTING DOWN: The Comper "Swift," piloted by Mohamed Hasek, lands over an obstruction.
G-AAZD competing in the 1934 Oasis Rally, after sale in Egypt as SU-AAJ.
Production Swift G-AAZC, seen here with Salmson A.D.9 and raked fin and rudder.
Swift G-ABMY was sold in Tanganyika as VR-TAF in June 1932.
The unmarked prototype at Hoot on in January 1930.
The last of the 1930 batch of Swifts, ZK-ACG, seen at Hooton prior to shipment to New Zealand. A Salmson A.D.9 later replaced the ABC Scorpion.
A MACHINE WHICH LIVES UP TO ITS NAME: The latest Comper Swift (50 h.p. Salmson), a fast handy little one-seater and the property of Mr. Gordon Selfridge. Selfridge's, it may be of interest to note, have ordered eight Comper Swifts - two with Salmson engines and six with the new Pobjoy engine.
Swift G-AAZD in similar form like G-AAZC. Both aircraft were later modified to Pobjoy standard.
Swift G-ABPY flew with Cobham's National Aviation Day Display and was flown out to India by Richard Shuttleworth.
The unique photograph shows Charles Bell in front of the two Argentinian Swifts, R222 and R232, at Mendoza. R222 was delivered to Comper agent Cyril Taylor in January 1932, later becoming LV-FBA. It still survives. R232 was re-registered LV-YEA and its fate is unknown.
The ill-fated Irish Swift EI-AAL after its fatal crash near Marseille on February 21, 1932. The pilot, Manco Scally, was attempting to fly from Dublin to Ceylon and then to the Cape.
The C.L.A.3, from which the Swift evolved, seen at Cranwell shortly after completion in 1925. When compared with the prototype Swift, the similarities are obvious.