| Swallow Airplane Swallow | |
|---|---|
| |
| Swallow with Continental R-670 engine | |
| Role | General purpose biplane |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Swallow Airplane Manufacturing Co. |
| Designer | Lloyd and Waverly Stearman and Walter Beech |
| First flight | 1924 |
| Introduction | 1924 |
| Status | Examples still in service in 2010 |
| Number built | Over 300 |
| Developed from | Laird-Swallow |
| Variants | Swallow TP |
The Swallow Airplane Swallow is an American-built general purpose biplane of the mid- to late 1920s.
The Swallow Airplane Manufacturing Co was formed in 1923 to take over the business of the E.M. Laird Aviation Co. of Wichita, Kansas and set up its factory there. In 1924, the New Swallow three-seat biplane was introduced, which differed from the earlier Laird-Swallow in having a cowled engine, split axle undercarriage and single-bay wings.[1] About 50 examples were produced until the design was enhanced in 1926. The initial price was $3,500 reducing to $2,485 in late 1926.
The Swallow OX-5, designed by Waverly Stearman, was introduced in 1927 and was the first Swallow to be built under an official ATC. This used a USA-27 airfoil and cabane N-struts. The Curtiss OX-5 water-cooled engine of the New Swallow was retained. About 250 examples were built.[1]
Whilst in commercial service, many Swallows were fitted with higher powered engines including the 225 hp Wright J-5, and later the Continental R-670.
The three-seat Swallow found ready use in the hands of small commercial firms and with the newly founded regional airlines including Varney Air Lines, who used them to carry U.S. mails on the recently created Air Mail routes. After the fitment in later years of more powerful engines, a few remain in service including an example at the Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin which is used for commercial joyriding.[2]
Source : Aerofiles[1]
Data from Aerofiles
General characteristics
Performance
