Globe Swift

CK

CK

Well-Known Member
Can anyone fill me in on the Swift? Anything odd about the handeling characteristics?

Thanks,

Alex.
 
CK said:
Can anyone fill me in on the Swift? Anything odd about the handeling characteristics?

Thanks,

Alex.
Click to expand...


Not flown one myself, but I hear that when you put more HP in the (like most of them out there), you can run out of rudder easily if you put too much power to them on take off. I have seen a few of them mangled up from ground looping. One at WHP and one at SZP.
 
CK said:
Can anyone fill me in on the Swift? Anything odd about the handeling characteristics?

Thanks,

Alex.
Click to expand...

Mine has an HIO-360 in it. It came from a helicopter and is rated at 210hp but since I can't pull all the RPMs, it is 180hp officially. And yes, you can run out of rudder, especially with strong crosswinds from the left.

Budd Davisson's pieces are good starts but remember, Swifts are like snowflakes, no two exactly alike. Different engines, props, hyd pumps, gear doors, seats, canopies.

The airplane started off with an 85hp engine which some said was just enough to get it to the crash site. Over the years, it morphed into a different airplane including one version that competed (and lost) to the Beech T-34 as a military trainer.

It is not difficult to fly but it does keep your attention focused especially with gusty crosswinds. I keep mine at an airfield noted for crosswinds and like the owner in Davisson's article, I watch the windsock intently. 25kts direct cross in the jets... nothing to worry about. 25kts and gusting and in the Swift.. it gets my attention.

Best bet is to fly a few of them. You will also hear all kinds of stories about speed. A wing is a wing is a wing. Some have had the slats covered and some have some mods to the wing but I flt plan around 130kts (I wish it was as fast as it looked) but that is at around 9gph. I have the standard tanks with a 9gal aux tank so I can easily do 3hrs.

I do not have an autopilot so I am constantly engaged with it. There are a lot of good things to say about the Swift and it will bring people out every time you land. It is a conversation starter. But don't plan on carrying a lot of stuff (little room under the hat shelf).

This is always a good illustration. The Swift had some designers on it that also worked on another airplane and you can see the similarities. P-40 on top. Swift on bottom.

Good luck and let us know about your impressions after flying one.
nrSYZn5G_dadp40.jpg
 
Orange Anchor said:
Mine has an HIO-360 in it. It came from a helicopter and is rated at 210hp but since I can't pull all the RPMs, it is 180hp officially. And yes, you can run out of rudder, especially with strong crosswinds from the left.

Budd Davisson's pieces are good starts but remember, Swifts are like snowflakes, no two exactly alike. Different engines, props, hyd pumps, gear doors, seats, canopies.

The airplane started off with an 85hp engine which some said was just enough to get it to the crash site. Over the years, it morphed into a different airplane including one version that competed (and lost) to the Beech T-34 as a military trainer.

It is not difficult to fly but it does keep your attention focused especially with gusty crosswinds. I keep mine at an airfield noted for crosswinds and like the owner in Davisson's article, I watch the windsock intently. 25kts direct cross in the jets... nothing to worry about. 25kts and gusting and in the Swift.. it gets my attention.

Best bet is to fly a few of them. You will also hear all kinds of stories about speed. A wing is a wing is a wing. Some have had the slats covered and some have some mods to the wing but I flt plan around 130kts (I wish it was as fast as it looked) but that is at around 9gph. I have the standard tanks with a 9gal aux tank so I can easily do 3hrs.

I do not have an autopilot so I am constantly engaged with it. There are a lot of good things to say about the Swift and it will bring people out every time you land. It is a conversation starter. But don't plan on carrying a lot of stuff (little room under the hat shelf).

This is always a good illustration. The Swift had some designers on it that also worked on another airplane and you can see the similarities. P-40 on top. Swift on bottom.

Good luck and let us know about your impressions after flying one.
nrSYZn5G_dadp40.jpg
Click to expand...

You forgot the part where they are widow-makers and you have to be superhuman to fly them successfully. I think you could fit even a large shaving kit in the baggage area.
 
WacoFan said:
You forgot the part where they are widow-makers and you have to be superhuman to fly them successfully. I think you could fit even a large shaving kit in the baggage area.
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I quit trying to leap over tall buildings when I went over the handlebars of my bike at about 20-25mph. Gave up the swagger also. Just left with a humble smile when I get it into the ramp.

But I have seldom taxied in that someone didn't ask me about it. I was out in OK a few years ago enroute somewhere and the tower guys asked if I could delay my departure. I said sure but why? The tower boss said he had never seen one up close and would appreciate if I waited. I did.

It is from a different era for sure but then, since it came off the assembly line after I came out of the assembly line, I am careful what I say about age. Let's just say me and the Swift.. we try to respect each other.
 
trafficinsight said:
That's why the swift looks so freakin good...

It's on the short list of airplanes I'd like to own someday.
Click to expand...

To top it off, there is a P-40N that just moved in the hangar next to me. Now IF I can just confuse the guy that owns the P-40 so he takes the Swift and I get to fly the P-40.

As for price, Swifts are all over the chart because of the diff in equipment, engines, etc as found on this page.

http://www.saginawwings.com/swift-market-place/swift-market-place.htm

It is a fun airplane to fly.
 
Orange Anchor said:
I quit trying to leap over tall buildings when I went over the handlebars of my bike at about 20-25mph. .
Click to expand...

No wonder you went over the handlebars. You'd need at least twice that speed- maybe even 3 times- to leap over even a short building on a bike.
 
Thanks OA!

WacoFan said:
Can you fill us in on whether you are buying one, have an opportunity to fly one, or are simply curious?:D
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A friend of the friend just bought an absolutely stunning one. He is 87 and no longer flies alone. He wants me to fly it with him, but there is no one with Swift experience around for me to talk to.

Alex.
 
We have a Swift based where I work. The guy puts a ton of time into and it definately shows:

093411.jpg


209804.jpg
 
greaper007 said:
That's a hell of a nice paint job!
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As mentioned, Swifts have lots of mods as indicated with this one. Engine, cowling, gear doors, canopy, interior, sticks, avionics and panel. This one is on the upper side of the $ envelope.One SWEET Swift.

For those not familiar with Swifts, the little round knob on the panel just in front of the left stick is the flap switch. The flat lever with the little red dot on the left is the gear switch.
 
That's a great looking airplane, timeless design and very slick - it looks like it'd cruise at 200 MPH!

OA, that is really neat that a P-40 moved in next to you, what other cool airplanes are hidden up there?

I stopped in with the Cub late one evening a few weeks ago to check out what all was built on the north side, but it was all closed. It all looked very nice from what I could see.
 
SuperCubRick said:
That's a great looking airplane, timeless design and very slick - it looks like it'd cruise at 200 MPH!
Click to expand...

If only but the wing is the wing and the Swift has a flaw. Aft the cockpit, the lines change quickly. This was done to facilitate construction but it creates a huge drag rise. I flt plan for 130kt true. I hear of guys saying they do 160+. I would have to see the evidence... not saying it won't do it but I am skeptical.

OA, that is really neat that a P-40 moved in next to you, what other cool airplanes are hidden up there?
Click to expand...

A B-17 wintered up there for the last two winters. The runway is now 4100ft and it is now Cherokee REGIONAL airport. Two Citations have moved onto the field and probably more jet traffic will be coming when the runway is moved out to 5000ft.

In the hangar with the P-40 is a Stearman and a T-6. In various hangars are a number of RVs and a couple of Rutan machines. Except for the ($*%^*** strong gusty crosswinds, a very nice little airport.
 
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