Comper Swift (oz3262)

About this Plan

Comper Swift. Free flight scale stunt model. This is a modern redrawn plan in PDFvector format.

Quote: "The Comper Swift is a 36in span free flight scale model by D.P. Golding. Although I have shown a Frog 150 on the plan this seems somewhat excessive but then the description says it is capable of stunting. The text does say that he fitted a Mills 1.3 and needed to run it a max. revs and is thinking of fitting an Elfin 1.8. As standard we have pendulum control on ailerons and elevator. Now the bit about NOT being a beginners model starts to make sense. In today's world RC becomes an eminently sensible option. As always when building with my drawings please take care and measure before cutting."

Article.

Quote: "A 36 inch span Comper Swift, by DP Golding.

One of the few British aeroplanes to be designed specifically for racing, the Comper Swift is a unique little craft of considerable renown. Designed and built by Nick Comper in 1930, there were two versions of the Swift, one with the radial Pobjoy engine, and the more powerful, 40 mph faster variant, using the DH Gipsy III Major engine.

DP Golding has quite naturally chosen the in-line engined Swift 'Major' as a subject for modelling, for its simple cowling and longer nose are by far easier to reproduce. His model is one of the 'PE Norman' school - high wing loading, high flying speed with a high degree of realism, crash-proof fittings, and semi-aerobatic performance controlled by pendulum elevators. The Swift is also fitted with pendulum ailerons, an addition which has proven most useful for automatically stabilising its impressive flight.

Full building instructions for this interesting model run to several pages and are supplied with each full-size APS plan. As a foretaste of what may be expected from the Swift, we reprint the following excerpt from the trimming and flying section of the designer's notes:

Now try another flight, gradually increasing revs. and watching altitude - she should fly in about 30-40 ft circles and straighten out when the power cuts. The glide is comparatively straight and level, though fast - should it be on the gusty side, she may turn alarmingly but will straighten out as the pendulum ailerons get to work.

Remember, if a Mills 1.3 cc is used, the engine must work at full revs. I hope to fit an Elfin 1.8 cc which should make the model even more acrobatic and the pendulum elevators will do their job of levelling off that power zoom. If you don't want quite so much power, the Frog 150 or Elfin 1.49 cc should be ideal.

NB This is not a beginner's model.

We know, from the demand for plans of the Typhoon, Gamecock, Fokker Triplane and the Miles Hawk Speed Six, designed by the P. E. Norman/D. P. Golding school, and already published in the AEROMODELLER, that free-flight fans will enjoy this accurate reproduction of the famous Comper Swift."

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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