comper - FlightGlobal

FLIGHT,
NOVEMBER
21, 1930 .
Comper Swift single- seater (A.B.C. Scorpion
engine).
Monoplace Comper Swift (moteur A.B.C.
Scorpion).
Monoplaza Comper Swift (motor A.B.C.
Scorpion).
COMPER
THE COMPER AIRCRAFT CO., LTD.,
HOOTON PARK AERODROME, CHESHIRE
\F7HEN he first designed the little " Swift " single-seater light 'plane,
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Flight-Lieut. N. Comper had in mind a machine which, although
cheap in first cost and of low running cost should have a good performance, and should above all else be very manoeuvrable. In other words,
a machine on which those who desired something of the " vim " of machines
of the single-seater fighter class, could practice at very small expense. The
machine should also be very suitable for use by flying clubs and flying schools,
where, once the pupil had passed the dual stage, he could continue solo on
the " Swift " at very low cost, and thus relieve the club machines from dual
instruction to other pupils.
In order to provide a choice of performance and price, the Comper Aircraft Company decided to produce the Swift with three different engines.
That fitted with the British Salmson of 50 h.p. may be regarded as the
standard, or general-purpose type, having sufficient performance to satisfy
most pilots and being low enough in price to find a ready market. For those
who desire the cheapest machine possible, in conjunction with a reasonably
good performance, the type fitted with the 40 h.p. A.B.C. " Scorpion "
engine has been produced, and this machine, although it has a very good
performance, i.e., top speed 100 m.p.h., and initial climb of 500 ft./min., has
the astonishing mileage of 40 miles per gallon of petrol. This is at a cruising
speed of 85—90 m.p.h. Owing to the low consumption of the engine the
range of the " Scorpion "-engined " Swift " is 360 miles at cruising speed..
Finally, there is the " Pobjoy " engined " Swift," which has a perfectly
astounding performance. It is a little dearer than the other two models,
but for the pilot-owner who wants something really fast and exceptionally
manoeuvrable, the " Pobjoy "-engined model would be difficult to beat.
How amazing this little machine is may be realised when it is pointed out
that the top speed is about 145 m.p.h. and the initial climb 1,400 ft. /min.,
while the cruising speed is 120 m.p.h., and the landing speed about 40 m.p.h.
Thus, the speed range is considerably more than 3^ to 1.
The prices of the three models are " Scorpion Swift," ,£400 ; " Salmson
Swift," £475, and " Pobjoy Swift," £525. These prices include all extras,
such as a full set of instruments (except compass), but including time-of-trip
clock, cockpit cover, engine cover, suit case, picket screws, a full set of tools
and log-book.
The fuselage of the " Swift " is in three portions bolted together, and the
joint between the portions is covered over with a strip of doped fabric about
1$ inches wide. Thus, when a thorough inspection of the fuselage is desired,
it is only necessary to tear off the fabric strips, when the four bolts can be
undone and the complete fuselage portion thoroughly inspected.
The wings of the Swift have wooden spars and ribs, and are strut braced to
the fuselage. The wings are designed to fold, and this operation only requires
the withdrawal of two locking pins from the front spar and can be carried
out literally in a few seconds. No disconnection of the aileron controls is
necessary and no jury struts are required.
1280
DOUR le moment la societe Comper Air•*• craft Co., Ltd., se concentre sur la
production de petits avions legers monoplaces peu couteux a acheter et a utiliser. U
y a un module qui se fabrique en grande
serie, mais qui peut se fournir sous trois
formes, ou plutot avec trois types diflerents
de moteur. A part cela les trois appareils
sont presque identiques : ce sont do tres
petits monoplans k vergues construits principalement en bois. Le fuselage est profond,
mais etroit, et tout en prot^geant le pilote
contre le courant d'air, lui laisse d'excellentes
vues.
Celui de moindre puissance, le Comper
" Swift," est equipe du moteur A.B.C.
" Scorpion " de 40 cv. ; c'est aussi le
meilleur marche de tous. Ensuite vient le
" Salmson-Swift," qu'equipe un moteur
Salmson anglais de 50 cv. Et enfin il y a
le " Pobjoy Swift," qui est actionne par un
moteur Pobjoy a refroidissement par air de
75 cv. Naturellement, la performance est
proportionnelle & la puissance du moteur, et
le " Pobjoy Swift " se comporte presque
comme un avion de combat monoplace de
grande puissance.
Les prix des trois modeles sont : " Scorpion
Swift " £400, " Salmson Swift " £47o, et
" Pobjoy Swift " £525.
SOCIEDAD COMPER AIRCRAFT
LA CO.,
LTD., se estd dedicando, p° . ei
1
r
momento, a la producci6n de aeroplanes tipo
ligero de pequeflas dimensiones, del m o d e
monoplaza los cuales son poco costosos e
cuanto a la adquisici6n y su entretemmienw.
Uno de los modelos se construye ror e
me"todo de production en serie pero pueu
obtenerse en tres formas, o mds bien <;icu >
provisto de uno de tres clases de motors _
Por lo demas, los tres modelos son o<*
identicos, siendo monoplanos de tipo