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

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....

Looking forward to that!

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

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

DS

September update......
 

....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/tupper...57651213308891

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

She flies..
 

..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/tupper...57659389527425

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.

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

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

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:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tupper...7648850892541/
This is the engine, I will double check with Phil tomorrow as to where is came from...

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

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

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

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:

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 ?

Phil has done a great job...all I do is swing it!
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: