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Swift

Photo: Robert Deering 6/15/2013
Denton Municipal Airport (DTO)
Denton, Texas

Photo: Robert Deering 10/12/2008
Alliance Airport (AFW)
Fort Worth, Texas

Photo: Robert Deering 11/13/2007
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Chantilly, Virginia
 
Photo: Robert Deering 11/13/2007
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Chantilly, Virginia
Produced from 1946 to 1951, the Globe Swift is a sporty general aviation design whose beauty and superior flying characteristics have made it a favorite classic. The A model was the only multi-seat, complex, nonexperimental aircraft of its time in the United States under 100 horsepower. All-metal with sleek lines and retractable landing gear, it handled like a fighter and was a major advance over wood-and-fabric sport designs-and surprisingly economical to fly.

Ludlow "Pete" King bought this Swift (National Air and Space Museum display) in 1975 and restored it to near-original condition. It retains most of its Alclad skin, early production magnesium engine cooling grills and fabric-covered ailerons, and a Beech-Roby variable-pitch wooden propeller. The interior is vintage as well, with its Art Deco-style instrument panel and instruments, cream and blue color scheme, and original control wheel yokes and seats.

Wingspan: 8.9 m (29 ft 4 in)
Length: 6 m (19 ft 7in)
Height: 1.9 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight, empty: 483 kg (1,062 lb)
Weight, gross: 712 kg (1,570 lb)
Top speed: 217 km/h (135 mph)
Engine: Continental C-85-12, 85 hp

Source: Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum