Supermarine Swift Photo's Needed
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Supermarine Swift Photo's Needed
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
). 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]
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
). 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]
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John Knobbs who was on 79 Squadron has a number of Swift images which he may share with you. He is on [email protected]
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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 
)
Thank you also for the email address Colin. I will drop him a line.
Many thanks again for the help.
)Thank you also for the email address Colin. I will drop him a line.
Many thanks again for the help.
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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.
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.
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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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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 ?
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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.
"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.
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Swift WK207 features right at the end of this delightful film about RAF Cranwell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uD0r0ghKF4
(It's never too late to post, is it?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uD0r0ghKF4
(It's never too late to post, is it?)
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
Do you have further details about which scrap yard and where by any chance ?
Originally Posted by Genghis the Engineer
I have absolutely no idea what Cranfield were doing with a Swift