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The Pilots Desk
aircraft

Comper Swift

Comper Swift

The Comper C.L.A.7 Swift is a British single-seat sporting aircraft designed and produced by the Comper Aircraft Company. It was the company’s first aircraft. The Swift was designed shortly after Nicholas Comper’s departure from the Royal Air Force to focus on the project. It was designed to be an affordable and compact aircraft that was capable of equivalent performance to that of typical twin-seat light aircraft of the era. The prototype aircraft performed its maiden flight during January 1930; quantity production proceeded shortly thereafter. The majority of aircraft produced were powered by the Pobjoy P radial engine. It proved to be a relatively successful long distance touring aircraft, conducting multi-day flights to Australia and across the United States amongst other destinations. The Swift gained particular notoriety for its participation in various air races, regularly proving itself to be competitive. One aircraft, owned by the then-Prince of Wales and future King Edward VIII, won second place in the 1932 King's Cup Race. It continued to be appear in air races, particularly those held in Britain, through to the mid-1950s.

Summary from Wikipedia, photo via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA.

First flight
1930-01-01

Specifications

Cruise speed
120 kt
Max speed
120 kt
Range
330 nm
Service ceiling
22,000 ft
Max takeoff weight
985 lb
Empty weight
540 lb
Fuel capacity
9 US gal
Powerplant
Pobjoy R
Engines
1
Seats
1
Length
17.7 ft
Wingspan
24 ft
Height
5.3 ft
Number built
45

Specifications are approximate and may vary by variant. Compiled from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).

Reference and training only. Specifications vary by variant — consult the manufacturer and the official documents.