Comper/Cierva C.25 autogyro - 1/72nd half-scratch conversion

This notable 1932 transformation of a Comper Swift into an autogyro is the product of the somewhat unsuccessful “technical marriage” of Comper and La Cierva. Their child, the Comper/Cierva C.25, was a sole example, and evolved by trial and error (that is, crashing) into its final form, given its civil registration and toured to tout the benefits of such aircraft configuration, quite in vogue in those times.

I have at hand two different 1/72^nd scale kits of the Comper Swift as a starting point. A vintage Aeroclub vac and a the new and technologically advanced one (resin and 3D-printed) released by Dekno/Arctic decals. I have built and posted on this blog three models made with them:

https://wingsofintent.blogspot.com/2024/04/comper-swith-aeroclub-172nd-vacuformed.html

https://wingsofintent.blogspot.com/2025/05/comper-swift-de-havilland-gipsy-engine.html

https://wingsofintent.blogspot.com/2023/01/comper-swift-arctic-decalsdekno-joint.html 

The conversion mainly involves creating new vertical tail surfaces, new wings and struts and a pylon with its corresponding rotor, so it’s not an onerous task for a modeler with a modicum of experience.

A plan by Bill Young was found on the Net that is mainly a very good base, but the shape of the oval additional vertical fins and the rotor blades is off, compared with photos. Easily corrected, though. The plan omits to depict the red painted edges of all tail surfaces and rotor blades leading edges. There is a great article on a 2005 (009, 010, 011, 012) Air Britain magazine about this subject: “The Whole Truth- The Comper Lightplanes, part six”.

As we know, the recurrent aviation dream of an affordable, practical “personal transport” (pursued by the Comper Swift and this autogiro -and many other designs) never really materialized. Which is a good thing, considering what a skyward California 405 freeway, chronically congested, would be. 

 Making the flying surfaces with the traditional method:

The rotor blades (again, do not follow the plan on that, but photos):

The new parts aside the Aroclub kit

The beautiful and comprehensive Arctic Decals/Dekno kit, issued in several liveries and powerplants:

So, the question is which one to use in order to build the autogyro...I cherish my vintage and very hard to find Aeroclub vac, on the other hand it seems a waste to cannibalize such a complete and beautiful kit like the Arctic Decals/Dekno rendition...

Decisions, decisions... 

 

To be continued...