Comper Swift..G-ECTF (Naked)

[Tupperware Pilot]

After 12 years of hard work Phil Cozens Replica Comper Swift is now only a year away from flying (we hope).
She came out of the workshop yesterday (thanks to the weather), for a test rigging. And went together very well.
Loads of photos here...
Phils Comper Swift. - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tupperware_pilot/sets/72157630690242988/)

[treadigraph]

That is very nice indeed!

[Wander00]

Not sure why it is classed as a "replica" - surely if built to the drawings, it is a "real" Comper Swift!

[DaveReidUK]

Not sure why it is classed as a "replica" - surely if built to the drawings, it is a "real" Comper Swift!

It's buit to a set of PFA (LAA) plans.

[TheChitterneFlyer]

Very nice indeed.

TCF

[GQ2]

How did they survive then...? :)

[Grantlee Kieza]

Don't know if you've seen this guys but in case you haven't this is Arthur Butler in a Comper Swift flying England to Australia, to retrace Bert Hinkler's great flight of 1928 http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQWU00ub9ow

[Grantlee Kieza]

Had a great chat this week to the grandson of Arthur Butler - of Comper Swift fame.
His name is Mark Pitts and he is a top boxing trainer whose fighters have included Sakio Bika (v the great Joe Calzaghe) and Arnel Barotillo (v the great Manny Pacquiao).
He says Arthur - who ended up running a big transport company which was then sold to Ansett - taught him boxing when he was a small boy

[GQ2]

Anyone who is prepared to fly over the shark-infested South China Sea behind a Pobjoy engine has truly got 'Balls of Steel'....! I'm shuddering just thinking about it. :\

[PPRuNe Pop]

The best one I ever saw was Pete Channon's Comper he used to keep at Redhill. Don't know what happened to it. Pete might well see this and add to it.

[Saint-Ex]

Very nice little aeroplane but view forward was not too good!

[Prangster]

When I did my ATC giding course in 1964 I seem to recall a Comper Swift looking more like a pile of wrekage than an aircraft buried deep in the darkest recesses of the darkest hanger on the station. Anyone know of it or what became of it.

[POBJOY]

Of course the Pobjoy engine is happy in its lack of knowing if it is over water (Sharks included) or not,as the sharks will not be intererested in munching on its
aluminium and steel.
However this fine engine will give good service if given the required servicing it requires; but has to live with mags that rev twice as much as normal and then deliver a spark to a rather insecure distributor cap.
In fact it was a failing rotor arm that put me down in Iran,and forced a return (over the shark infested Gulf of Oman) back to Dubai on only one mag with a very much 'spare' arm.
It was either that or leave the machine at Jask (not much of a choice).
As an exercise in power to weight and actual thrust the Pobjoy has little equal.
In order to give some chance of survival in event of a ditching (no dinghy) the Comper's empty space was filled with polystyrene blocks.
The engine would be an excellent candidate for electronic ignition.
Prangster, ABTC had had a bit of a prang in the sixties up that way,and was rebuilt by Jeremy Menzies down south.

[GQ2]

Pobjoy;- The Pobjoys have probably got a better chance of being reliable now with the help of modern technology. They were/are powerful, but pilots in the '30's, when the engines were new, suffered numerous problems and forced landings - and that was often with 'factory-support'. As you state, these were mostly ignition-related issues. Lots of character though and they sound great...!:)

[Tupperware Pilot]

Talking with Phil the other day, the ignition is a possible weak-link, but there is a plan B. It's ready for covering, so should be flying next year. (we hope)

[POBJOY]

Indeed the Pojoy is a light and powerful unit,but aside from the mag situation the valves are a 'weak spot' and need to be changed to a modern material.
The R had exposed valve gear supposidly lubricated by grease (not very well) and the main advantage of the Niagra and Cateract was the oil fed enclosed system.
This system relied on small pipes giving a metered oil supply to the rocker covers (top cylinders),but this can 'silt up' and it is best to actually inject oil into the rocker on a regular basis to ensure some lubrication takes place.
Aside from that i have never had a mechanical failure of the engine or gearbox in hundreds of operating hours.
Used to have 'issues' before changing the valves,but one has to accept that with the territory.
The unit had a fairly low overhaul life because of this,and would have seen valves replaced on a regular basis when they were readily available.
All in all this is a great engine to fly behind and gives great thrust for little weight.

[Sir George Cayley]

I admire craftsmanship and the photos above shout that out. All I can make is sawdust so this work is beyond outstanding.

It seems sad that it will be hidden under fabric and paint, could Visqueen be the answer?

SGC

[blue up]

Saw some Viagras on Ebay. Any use to anyone here???

Pobjoy aircraft engines | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pobjoy-aircraft-engines-/160940446590?pt=UK_CPV_Aviation_SM&hash=item2578cc537e)

[POBJOY]

I think it is fair to say that the 'servicing' and operation of a Pobjoy is more akin to a cross between a sewing machine and a small turbine.
The engine was very small and light for its power,but had to live with materials and oil of the period.
Because the oil has to cope with a reduction gear (SAE 50-60) this is not ideal for good flow through a tiny metering system to the top valves.
As mentioned the cowling system would not have encouraged much extra probing,and indeed the valve design (and material) left little reserve for poor lubrication.
However i changed my valves very early on and ensured the guides got a sploge of lubrication with direct injection between flights.
The Gypsy engines of the time had valves that were 'bathed' in oil due them being downstream in the system.
It is only the top three cylinders that need attention on a PJ so in the 'open' (no cowling) system of a Swift giving them an occaisional squirt is no problem (just like many non aviation engines of the time).
The real benefit comes when you fly behind one,Power,thrust,and that Pobjoy 'growl'. As i soon binned the collector ring exhaust in favour of 'no problem' stubbs the slightly grimy face was a small price to pay.
In non aviation use an early Morgan would be a suitable home for one.
As most of the current engines have the BTH mags fitted it is good practice to open and close the throttle SLOWLY thereby allowing the the mag drive to absorb the input,and giving the piddly little BTH bearing a fighting chance.
Under no circumstances should the 'Gypsy' mag coupling be substituted for the original Pobjoy one, it will not cope with the exta rpm.The original drives may look 'sloppy' but that is the secret of their worth.

[Hazwlmchase]

Hi bral et al,

I enrolled at the Cambridge University Library today, looking for Pobjoy drawings, but I failed my quest. I was under the impression that the UL had _everything_ ever published. I'd love to know of other libraries where I could obtain drawings that would enable me to construct an engine in 3D CAD. I have a project in mind, along the lines of rotec, jabiru, but remarkably similar to the Pobjoy.

-Hazel

[blue up]

Might be worth getting in touch with Ron Webster. He seems to be quite clued-up and he might be willing to sell you a kit of parts.

Clutton FRED | Power to the people and FRED! (http://cluttonfred.info/post/14232541880/webster)

[Tupperware Pilot]

....well its been a year since we first got to look at Phil's work, and now a year on we got another look.
The wings are covered and ready for dope and Paint. Engine is finished and ready to go back on the airframe and be run!!! (should be a fun day!)
Some photos from today are here!
Cheers
Damien
Swift 2013 - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tupperware_pilot/sets/72157634639527276/)

[A30yoyo]

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3719/9510260489_24eaf885ef_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/9510260489/)
Ford 5-AT-C (?) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/9510260489/) by San Diego Air & Space Museum Archives (http://www.flickr.com/people/sdasmarchives/), on Flickr

The first Ford Trimotors imported into the UK were assembled in Compers facility at Hooton Park , nr.Liverpool

[Tupperware Pilot]

Interesting A30yoyo ... thanks for posting!


latest update is that now the whole aircraft is now covered! first flight might be this year!

[A30yoyo]

Quite a few pics of the 'Shamrocket' on here
Search Results - aircraft (http://catalogue.nli.ie/Search/Results?lookfor=aircraft&type=AllFields&submit=FIND&filter%5B%5D=digitised%3A%22Digitised%22)

small but perfectly formed :-)

[Tupperware Pilot]

Nice link A30......
Just an small update.... the fuse is now covered.............not long now!!!

[Tupperware Pilot]

....... everything is now covered and the fuse has had the white painted on, the red will be going on tonight!
Swift 2013 - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tupperware_pilot/sets/72157634639527276/)

@theflyinggopro

[Tupperware Pilot]

....just to remind yo all of how it looked 2 years ago.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tupperware_pilot/sets/72157630690242988/
Give me a couple of hours and the update will be online!
Fuel may have been burnt!!!!

[joy ride]

Looking forward to seeing that!

[Tupperware Pilot]

Here are the photos......videos to follow (in the next 12-24 hours)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tupperware_pilot/sets/72157648850892541/

[Aerials]

and the aeroplane looks really good too! Best wishes to Phil for a good first flight.

[Tupperware Pilot]

...here is the vid!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjps9ERhvEo&list=UUzcGkc8paPIQa8TjNIAEnkA

[Tupperware Pilot]

....before it comes to Hinton.
There are a couple of things to fix/finish. Then to Hinton for the final inspection, W&B. Then just the permit to test and then she flies!
4-6 weeks?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tupperware_pilot/sets/72157651213308891/

[Tupperware Pilot]

JOclTIC6Adg

[joy ride]

Looks superb!

[Fantome]

Just taking a closer look at the first few posts on this thread, and the references to Arthur Butler. He was always preferred Arthur to Cecil as his given name. Also it is not correct that Butler Air Transport was sold to Ansett. Reg Ansett acquired a controlling interest in the company by a ruthless and cunning dodge involving acquiring parcels of shares, then in effect stacking the AGM or extraordinary general meeting which resulted in his take over.

That story, and many other highlights and sidelights of the Butler story
can be found in this recent outstanding history -


THE YELLOW CANARY - FROM BUTLER AIR TRANSPORT TO ANSETT EXPRESS

by SCOTT A CASSON

http://d3cxckyc3pu9pz.cloudfront.net/images/9780646906058.jpg?width=222 (http://d3cxckyc3pu9pz.cloudfront.net/images/9780646906058.jpg)

[Tupperware Pilot]

.... she is now at Hinton.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tupperware_pilot/17310768490/in/dateposted-public/
A few weeks now....then she will fly!!

[Tupperware Pilot]

...... All the wings are now at Hinton and on the Swift. Rig today engine run to check the taco!
A few little things still to do, then paperwork to sort! Then bolt the tame test pilot in! (we have a stig!)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tupperware_pilot/sets/72157651213308891
Video to follow in an hour!

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Oh wow.... I just hope and pray that I will see it.

[Tupperware Pilot]

08WI6LVwkqE

[DeepestSouth]

Just curious - has she flown yet? If so, it would be lovely to see a video!

[Tupperware Pilot]

DeepestSouth Just curious - has she flown yet? If so, it would be lovely to see a video!
Not yet... a combination of the tame test pilot and the builder not being in the right place at the right time. September is looking more like it. Don't worry there will be photos and video of the first flight....

[joy ride]

Looking forward to that!

[cambioso]

The Tame(d) TP is raring to go! We've just got to drag Phil back from the South of France (why would he want to return at the moment?!), then we can get stuck in.
Jez

[DeepestSouth]

Thanks very much. I have very fond memories of seeing a Swift flying in the 60s.

DS

[Tupperware Pilot]

....we are very very close now. We have the tame test pilot and the owner in the same place at the same time. The engine issue that has been holding it up for the last few weeks has been solved!
Updated photos and a little tease video added to the set.. https://www.flickr.com/photos/tupperware_pilot/albums/72157651213308891

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

If it ever gets to Blackbushe I'll cover the landing fee.

[Tupperware Pilot]

..first 2 flights have been done on a perfect day at Hinton. One small issue after the first flight was fixed and the second flight went so well we did some A2A.
Phil is very happy and the tame test pilot is happy to let him do the rest of the test program.
Here are the photos, video to follow next. Nigel also took loads and has a much better set of A2A.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tupperware_pilot/albums/72157659389527425

[ngcgliding]

So good to see the Comper once again in flight. Congratulations to everyone involved. Could Phil confirm that this is in any way connected to the original CTF that was owned by test pilot Ron Clear as it was flown regularly at Christchurch Hants in the 1950/60. Ron used it to commute Portsmouth/Christchurch when Airspeed were producing the Elizabethan.
Some of the apprentices Ron encouraged to fly also. I did not get to fly the Comper but flew his BA Swallow a couple of times. It would be brilliant if there were some part of the original aircraft still flying.

[pax britanica]

What a great story and a huge well done to the project team , as one earlier poster points out it is in some ways a shame to cover up much of the beauty and complexity of their work on the structure with fabric . However it is beautifully and tastefully done in a wonderful period scheme.

Three questions come to mind though.

1 Could the pilot see anything at all on the ground, even weaving from side to side looks pointless as the wings then get in the way of the view forward

2. It looks oh so frail, as I said a thing of beauty but zero protection in any incident; it looks like hitting large a insect would be a true mid -air, how strong was that amazing lattice work frame?

3 It seems to have a slightly odd stance on the grounds such that any attempt to swing the prop to start it would cut of the legs of the guy doing the swinging as the lower arc of the prop looks to extend a good way forward of the top arc which of course you had to grab to pull it anyway-special technique for staying intact?

However a wonderful project and I wonder if anything made today will inspire people in 75 years time to rebuild them.

Like HD would love to see the Swift at Blackbushe

[Tupperware Pilot]

So good to see the Comper once again in flight. Congratulations to everyone involved. Could Phil confirm that this is in any way connected to the original CTF that was owned by test pilot Ron Clear as it was flown regularly at Christchurch Hants in the 1950/60. Ron used it to commute Portsmouth/Christchurch when Airspeed were producing the Elizabethan.
Some of the apprentices Ron encouraged to fly also. I did not get to fly the Comper but flew his BA Swallow a couple of times. It would be brilliant if there were some part of the original aircraft still flying.


This is a new plans built Swift, he engine is from an original Swift. Can't remember which one but Phil has told me.

[Tupperware Pilot]

1 Could the pilot see anything at all on the ground, even weaving from side to side looks pointless as the wings then get in the way of the view forward

2. It looks oh so frail, as I said a thing of beauty but zero protection in any incident; it looks like hitting large a insect would be a true mid -air, how strong was that amazing lattice work frame?

3 It seems to have a slightly odd stance on the grounds such that any attempt to swing the prop to start it would cut of the legs of the guy doing the swinging as the lower arc of the prop looks to extend a good way forward of the top arc which of course you had to grab to pull it anyway-special technique for staying intact?

In answer to your 3 questions..
#1, the view is not as bad as it looks, infact better on the ground than a Cub. I have not flown it but have sat in it. And been told by the tame test pilot.
#2 looks are deceiving its very strong and not frail.
#3 as the chief swinger of the Swift I can say it's fine to swing. But we have been swinging for a few years and make sure we do it carefully. Swinging is not to be rushed. And we always take our time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxPgYovM5Rc
plenty of swinging in the videos I have posted...
:ok:

[Tupperware Pilot]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tupperware_pilot/15572851401/in/album-72157648850892541/
This is the engine, I will double check with Phil tomorrow as to where is came from...

[RedhillPhil]

What's with the petrol soaked cloth inserted somewhere in the nether regions of the engine? Some sort of choke device I'm thinking?

[pax britanica]

Tupperware Pilot
Many thanks for your informed answers to my uninformed questions. I am really intrigued by how they get strength into what looks very flimsy wooden structure, no doubt a masterpiece of design and master craftsmen to execute it.
Thanks again
PB

[Tupperware Pilot]

The engine came from G-ABUU, which is now is Spain as EC-HAM...
No worries Pax...

[Tupperware Pilot]

What's with the petrol soaked cloth inserted somewhere in the nether regions of the engine? Some sort of choke device I'm thinking?

Yes its a choke/primer.....this is how the manual says do it! (there is a wire mesh in the carb to stop it being sucked in). Was not easy to get the mixture right, so we have moved to plan B ref priming, so don't need the rag anymore. :ok:

[Above The Clouds]

You have done a wonderful job, what a beautiful aeroplane. Is Hinton available to fly in to for a visit and have look at your fantastic work ?

[Tupperware Pilot]

Phil has done a great job...all I do is swing it!
yes you can fly into Hinton... we are around most weekend.

[Above The Clouds]

yes you can fly into Hinton... we are around most weekend.

When we get over the current damp spell I will have a look at popping in, unless I have fitted floats in the meantime :rolleyes:

[JDJ]

Congrats to all - and really great photography!

Very nice to see it in the air.

[Tupperware Pilot]

...... and a great day for it!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tupperware_pilot/albums/72157660608446353

[Stanwell]

...... and a great day for it!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tupperware_pilot/albums/72157660608446353


Agreed, TP. A perfect day for those shots.
Some truly inspirational photography there.
Thanks.