Comper Swith - Aeroclub 1/72nd vacuformed

 

 

For such small plane, the Comper Swift has made a large imprint in the aviation world. Flights as far as to India, Australia and Cape Town and a double Andes crossing from Argentina to Chile and back, are just a sample of the abilities of this cute little thing. It also participated in a number of races, positioning with honor even when competing with much larger machines. Simple in design, but with the convenience of foldable wings and motorized with diverse engines, this one-person monoplane was also comfortable in the tourer role. Typically a Pobjoy engine was installed but others were powered by a D.H. Gipsy, a Scorpion or a Salmson. Modifications included different cowlings for the Pobjoy and even canopies. Its clean lines and harmonious proportions have made of it a classic, still flying today.

For more information and the step-by-step building post, please go here:

https://wingsofintent.blogspot.com/2024/04/comper-swift-aeroclub-172nd-vacuform.html

Represented here is the plane flown by Richard Shuttleworth to India, that was also a participant of the 1933 King’s Cup. A few additions were made to the original vac kit, in the form of a cockpit interior, opening the suitcase and luggage hatches and adding aileron and rudder control horns with their linkages. Louvers, Pitot, fuel cap and oil cooler were also added being the decals a humble home-made effort this time.

Vacs are a rewarding niche of the modeling world, often overlooked. My thanks go to John Adams (Aeroclub), Lars Opland (Khee-Kha Art Products), Gordon Stevens (Rereplane), Mike Herrill (Execuform), Gordon Sutcliffe (Contrrail), and many others that with their kits allowed so many hours of creative modeling fun.