British Aircraft Swallow
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| Swallow | |
|---|---|
| Type | Light tourer |
| Manufacturer | British Klemm/British Aircraft Manufacturing |
| Maiden flight | 1933 |
| Number built | 135 |
| Developed from | Klemm L.25 |
The B.A Swallow was a British light aircraft of the 1930s. It was a license-built version by the British Klemm Aeroplane Company (which later became known as the British Aircraft Manufacturing Co.) of the German Klemm L.25. a total of 135 were built.
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[edit] Design and development
The German aircraft manufacturer Klemm developed a successful low powered light aeroplane, the Klemm L.25, which first flew in 1927 [1], of which over 600 were produced. Several were sold to British owners, where they proved popular, so the British dealer for the K.25, Major E.F Stephen, set up the "British Klemm Aeroplane Company" at Hanworth, Middlesex to produce a version of the L.25 under license.
The prototype of the licenced version, known as the B.K. Swallow, first flew in November 1933 [2]. It was an all-wooden cantilever monoplane, with tandem cockpits accommodating two, and powered by a 75 hp (56 kW) Salmson 9 or 85 hp (63 kW) Pobjoy Cataract radial engine. It differed from the German original by its more powerful engines and local strengthening to meet British airworthiness requirements[2].
In 1935 a revised version was introduced, with the curved wing tips, rudder and tailplane inherited from the Klemm original being made straight and with revised fuselage top decking. At this time the company changed its name to the British Aircraft Manufacturing Co., so the revised version was known as the B.A Swallow II. Swallow IIs were produced powered either by the Cataract or the Cirrus Minor inline engine, production continuing until 1938, with a total of 107 Swallow IIs produced, following on from 28 Swallow I[2].
[edit] Operational history
The Swallow, which proved robust and safe, was popular in service. The majority were sold to private owners or flying schools within the United Kingdom. On the outbreak of the Second World War, many were impressed by the Military, most being issued to the Air Training Corps for use as instructional airframes [2].
One Swallow was impressed into RNZAF service in September 1939, it was used as a communications aircraft from September 1939 to April 1940.
Some 17 Swallows survived to fly again after the war, with a few remaining in existence today.
[edit] Variants
- B.K. Swallow
- Initial production version, powered by 75 hp Salmson A.D.9 or 85 hp Pobjoy Cataract II engines. A total of 28 built (six with Salmson engine).
- B.A. Swallow II
- Revised production version, with modified structure to ease production, powered by 90 hp Cataract II engine or 90 hp Cirrus Minor. A total of 107 were built (60 with Cataract, 47 with Cirrus).
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications (B.K. Swallow)
Data from British Civil Aircraft since 1919 [2]
General characteristics
- Crew: Two
- Length: 26 ft 3 in (8.00 m)
- Wingspan: 42 ft 8½ in (13.02 m)
- Height: 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
- Wing area: 219½ ft² (20.4 m²)
- Empty weight: 960 lb (436 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,500 lb (682 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Pobjoy Cataract II radial engine, 85 hp (63 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 90 knots (104mph, 167 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 78 knots (90mph, 145 km/h)
- Range: 365 nm (420 mi, 676 km)
- Service ceiling 17,000 ft (5,200 m)
- Rate of climb: 800 ft/min (4.1 m/s)
[edit] References
- Jackson, A.J. British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 1. London: Putnam, 1974. ISBN 0-370-10006-9.
- Smith, J.R. and Kay, Antony L. German Aircraft of the Second World War. London: Putnam, 1972. ISBN 0-85177-836-4.
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
Related development Klemm L.25
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