Supermarine Swift Photo's Needed

[Supermarine Swift]

Hello All,

I hope people don't mind my first post on PPrune being a beg for help message.

I am a huge fan of the Supermarine Swift and I have decided to set up a website dedicated to the type.

I have been collecting information for a while now so that when the www finally goes live it will be a site of interest rather than one of those which features endless coming soon or under development messages all over it.

I think I have collected information and pictures on most if not all of the books, models, ciggarette cards etc available on the aircraft. I also have pictures of all the survivors (not many I know :sad:). I even have information on some company produced items on the Swift such as display models.

I now need help on what will be the most substantial gallery on my site. I need pictures of Swifts.

I want to get, at minimum a photograph of each airframe produced. If I can get more of certain airframes all the better. I will not turn pictures away.

So the question is.................. has any one got pictures of Swifts they can send me for use on my website ?

You will receive full credit and I will only use your photo on my website which I will make no financial gain from.

Fingers crossed I will hear from people and many thanks in advance.

Regards Martin

[email protected]

[tristar 500]

The record breaking Swift has just turned up at Brooklands.

Very little of it, only fuselage, no wings etc.

tristar 500

[ColinB]

John Knobbs who was on 79 Squadron has a number of Swift images which he may share with you. He is on [email protected]

[Supermarine Swift]

Many thanks for the info on the Brooklands Swift. I had noted this move on another forum. On a non Swift note it will be interesting to see what happens to the Firefly and Balliol owned by the same lady (sure Ive spelt that wrong buts its 03:29 in the morning as I type this and just arrived home from work :zzz:)

Thank you also for the email address Colin. I will drop him a line.

Many thanks again for the help.

[henry crun]

I think you will be very lucky to get a photograph of each airframe produced.

In the late 1950's there was a hangar full of Swift 1's at St. Athan, brand new, their only flight before having an M number assigned, was from the factory to St. Athan.

I was told that after the Boy Entrants had finished practising on them, they were sold for scrap.

[ColinB]

I now recall that some of the airframes resided on George Henry Flowers scrapyard in Chippenham, Wilts. I know they featured regularly in the local press, so there may be some images in the Gazette library.Chippenham, Devizes and Wiltshire news, sport, classifieds and more from the Gazette and Herald (http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/)
A message in the Gazette would probably unearth more pix.
I know that were a matter of fascination for the local ATC
There is also the German Spotters Group with some pix attached at Spotting Group Gütersloh - Flugplatz von 1937 bis heute | No79SquadronSwift (http://sg-etuo.de/Squadrons/No79SquadronSwift).
Finally there is a guy called Barry Flahey in Canada who took many aircraft pix in the late fifties at Gutersloh. I do have his contact address.

[newt]

There used to be a complete airframe in a scrapyard in mid Wales! We used to use it as a recce target for the students at TWU!:ok:

[Warmtoast]

My contribution.

In the early 1950's it was the custom for a variety of RAF, RN and USAF aircraft to be flown in to Biggin Hill so that members of the Royal Observer Corps and the Army Anti-Aircraft Command (then an integral part of the UK’s air defences) could examine up close on the ground the friendly aircraft they were expected to recognise in the air.

I took this photo of 56 Sqn (Waterbeach - based) Swift F1 WK207 ‘N’ complete with squadron red and white checkerboard markings. The Swift was introduced into the RAF in February 1954, becoming the RAF's first swept-wing aircraft, but unfortunately, because of major control problems when flying at high altitude which resulted in several accidents, they were grounded for a while in August 1954 whilst attempts were made to sort out the aircraft's problems.

This photo was taken at the 1954 Recognition Day. As can be seen it was the object of attention for Biggin based airmen (and others) normally used to Meteor Mk 8’s.

In the background a USAF B.45 from Sculthorpe and just visible two USAF F.86's from Manston.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/Biggin%20Hill%20Early%201950s/56SqnSwiftMk1.jpg

[Supermarine Swift]

Do you have further details about which scrap yard and where by any chance ?

It seems that they did a very good job when scrapping the swift as there is very little around to collect compared to other aircraft of the period.

[Supermarine Swift]

Stunning picture. Thank you for sharing. WK207 features in the colour artwork section of Warpaint Supermarine Swift book. Something rather nice looking about overall silver fighter aircraft isn't there ?

[Chris Royle]

As a Swift enthusiast, I'm sure that you will be aware of this book, but in case not;
"Swift Justice" by Nigel Walpole, puublished by Pen and Sword ISBN 1 84415 070 4
I have a feeling that there may be other books on the Swift. Also ISTR that Dave Morgan (ex Vickers Supermarine test pilot) wrote a number of articles in Aeroplane Monthly in defence of the Swift, which he strongly felt had been wrongly maligned.

[Chipmunk Janie]

Swift WK207 features right at the end of this delightful film about RAF Cranwell.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uD0r0ghKF4

2uD0r0ghKF4

(It's never too late to post, is it?)

[Genghis the Engineer]

This got tweeted by a professor at Cranfield the other day, and is also up on the wall of the social club by the bar.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ce5xwdfWIAIPopj.jpg:large

I have absolutely no idea what Cranfield were doing with a Swift - presumably some time in the 1960s, but hopefully it was worthwhile. It would be fair to say that compared to the current fleet of a 146, two Jetstreams, a Bulldog and a T67 - whilst it's nice that the aeroplanes remain British made, things have been more exciting in the past!

G

[chevvron]

There's a film occasionally shown on the telly, think it's called 'Test Pilot'. Filmed mostly at Chilbolton presumably early '50s. If you explore the outskirts of the airfield today, on the south side about half a mile due west of the airstrip, you'll find Supermarine's flight shed still there alongside an original hangar, both being used as barns.

[DeepestSouth]

According to Lesley Hunt's 'Veteran and Vintage Aircraft of the World', the Swift was XF114.

[chevvron]

This got tweeted by a professor at Cranfield the other day, and is also up on the wall of the social club by the bar.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ce5xwdfWIAIPopj.jpg:large

I have absolutely no idea what Cranfield were doing with a Swift - presumably some time in the 1960s, but hopefully it was worthwhile. It would be fair to say that compared to the current fleet of a 146, two Jetstreams, a Bulldog and a T67 - whilst it's nice that the aeroplanes remain British made, things have been more exciting in the past!

G
With its dark colouring, maybe the Swift is the one used for 'wet runway' tests at various airfields in the '60s. It was painted dark blue.
As an aside, they tried a wet runway trial at Farnborough in the late 60s or early 70s using a Scimitar with its outer wings removed at the hinges; it still managed to get airborne!

[DaveReidUK]

With its dark colouring, maybe the Swift is the one used for 'wet runway' tests at various airfields in the '60s. It was painted dark blue.

http://www.aviationphotocompany.com/img/s/v-3/p122826692-3.jpg

It is indeed (though I'd say the colour was bordering on black).

XF114 was later donated to Flint Technical College, currently undergoing restoration with a view to eventual display at Solent Sky.

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ8_jvHGRButqbLjivDh3l4wt4_E4z3xPnpfEt80dh pR_EQyWt1

[megan]

Supermarine Swift, the book mentioned by Chris Royle, "Swift Justice" by Nigel Walpole, lists all the airframes, their main commitment, and last known fate. If you don't have the book send me a PM.Do you have further details about which scrap yard and where by any chance ?If you are referring to the photo of WK207, it went to Weeton, as did five other Swifts, as an instructional airframe 7314M. Can't help you beyond that I'm afraid.

[ancientaviator62]

The Tangmere Aviation Museum has a Swift.

[Jhieminga]

I have absolutely no idea what Cranfield were doing with a Swift
Same here, but I've seen variations on that picture scattered around different Cranfield buildings. According to Ken Ellis' 'Testing to the Limits' vol.1 the wet runway braking trials were carried out between 1958 and 1962 and a photo on page 48 shows XF114 at Cranfield at the end of the trials, according to the caption. This is in the section about Dizzy Addicott who was one of the pilots involved in these trials. The Swift photo in the book is from Ken Ellis' collection, perhaps a message to him might help with your website project Supermarine Swift?

[chevvron]

Vague recollection Dizzy Addicot proposed using a Swift with it wings removed for a Land Speed Record attempt in the early/mid 60s but Craig Breedlove appears to have beaten him to it.

[pulse1]

I was gliding at Cranfield in 1965-6 and the Swift was still used occasionally with the undercarriage locked down. There were shallow rubber tanks on the runway which were filled with water for the trials. In 1966 it was replaced by a Hunter and we were told that the Swift was going to be converted into a vehicle for an attempt on the world land speed record. That obviously never happened.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Which probably tells us the date of that photograph as 1966 +/-1yr.

The rubber tanks for contaminated runway tests still come out occasionally I believe.

G

[Jhieminga]

According to the Ken Ellis book I looked at this morning Dizzy had another Swift in mind for the Land Speed Record, but I have not memorised the serial number for that one. I will look it up later today.

[BEagle]

They were known as 'slush pits' and were used for tests following the Munich Air Disaster, we were told when I was doing my PPL at Rogers Aviation in 1968.

We were also told that no harm would come of any encounter between our little C150s and the pits, but that we should aim to land beyond them on that RW.

On my first solo, I got too low and slow on my first approach, landed just before the slush pits, bounced and went around for a second attempt - which went fine.

Unfortunately everyone thought it was deliberate - the spray of water was quite impressive, I gather! But it wasn't, it was my error!

Of course if I'd been taught using the 'point and power', I'd probably have landed at the correct spot.

A late family friend flew the Swift F7 with 1 GWDS at RAF Valley in 1957 - he was less than complimentary about it, but enjoyed the flying.

[DaveReidUK]

Wonder if the RAE Swift at filling station in Herefordshire exists still. Useful ad-hoc target in days gone by.

Yes, WK275 still exists, on its way here for restoration with its new owners somewhere in Yorkshire:

http://www.jetartaviation.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/supermarine-swift-wk275-restoration-update/swift-being-cut-free-from-pillars.jpg

[Jhieminga]

Getting back to 'Dizzy' Addicott, according to 'Testing to the Limits' he purchased FR.5 WK277 (not XF114) as surplus from 2 School of Technical Training at Cosford for GBP225 to use in the Land Speed Record attempt. This is the airframe that is now at Newark.

[Out Of Trim]

The Tangmere Swift

http://www.pprune.org/members/24640-out-of-trim-albums-out-trim-s-photos-picture258-image.jpeg

http://www.pprune.org/members/24640-out-of-trim-albums-out-trim-s-photos-picture259-image.jpeg

http://www.pprune.org/members/24640-out-of-trim-albums-out-trim-s-photos-picture260-image.jpeg

[luffers79]

Briefly, being on 79 (FR) Squadron 1954/57), I have some snaps that could be useful ? Can I email them to you sometime ?

What fascinates me is the years between your first request & this sudden resurgence of activity. ???

[sycamore]

As an aside note,S-S mentioned in #4 about a lady having a Firefly and a Balliol...Anyone know anything more ,who,where ,when,what now...?

[DaveReidUK]

As an aside note,S-S mentioned in #4 about a lady having a Firefly and a Balliol...Anyone know anything more ,who,where ,when,what now...?

Presumably those are the Balliol and Firefly bits that were at Millom alongside the Swift.

If so, the Balliol (WN516) is now in storage at Baxterley with the Staffordshire Aircraft Restoration Team and the Fireflies (two aircraft, VT409 and WD889) are with a new owner in Newton Abbott, Devon.

WN516:

http://www.ukserials.com/images/ukimages/wn516.jpg

VT409:

http://www.ukserials.com/images/ukimages/vt409.jpg

WD889:

http://www.ukserials.com/images/ukimages/wd889.jpg

[reynoldsno1]

I was given a model Swift for Christmas - must have been about 1958. It was mounted on a 12 inch length of flexible wire, encased in white plastic, that extended from the jet pipe to a rubber sucker. This was a representation of a contrail. Mine was mounted on a mirror in my room, and the wire adjusted to give the impression of two aircraft performing a manoeuvre in formation.
Funny that I can recall such detail over 50 years later ... or maybe sad!

[chevvron]

I was given a model Swift for Christmas - must have been about 1958. It was mounted on a 12 inch length of flexible wire, encased in white plastic, that extended from the jet pipe to a rubber sucker. This was a representation of a contrail. Mine was mounted on a mirror in my room, and the wire adjusted to give the impression of two aircraft performing a manoeuvre in formation.
Funny that I can recall such detail over 50 years later ... or maybe sad!
I think those Contrail models were by Corgi in an effort to compete with Dinky Toys - I had the Dinky Swift.

[Haraka]

I had the Dinky Swift.
Which was horrible around the canopy!.....:)

[Bruggen 130]

This was taken at RAF Finningley air show in the 70s.


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1467/26376040991_61404f2253_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/GbL74r)Swift W (https://flic.kr/p/GbL74r) by philip elcock (https://www.flickr.com/photos/121319762@N04/), on Flickr

[claron]

I may have been mistaken, but I seem to remember a swift being in the corner of one of the hangars at Raf Swinderby, during my basic square bashing in 1978. As well as a Mossie.?

[DaveReidUK]

The Swift would have been the one now at Tangmere, WK281 and the Mosquito TJ138, now at Hendon.

[ZeBedie]

Where is the Swift from Skyfame museum?

[DaveReidUK]

Where is the Swift from Skyfame museum?

I don't recall ever having seen a Swift at Skyfame, though that's not to say they didn't have one at some stage.

Do you have a serial for it ?

[DeepestSouth]

I don't recall a Swift at Skyfame either. So .... I've checked in Ken Ellis superb book 'Lost Aviation Collections of Britain'. Chapter 4 is devoted to The Short Sunderland Trust and Skyfame and includes a narrative of aircraft movements plus a comprehensive list (pages 52 and 53). Sadly, no Swift.

Thread drift - Skyfame is entirely responsible for my love affair with the DeHavilland Mosquito ...!