MONTY THE ANSWER MAN ARCHIVE SWIFT
HISTORY & PRODUCTION IDENTITY CRISIS... From: Bob Runge <ejectr@javanet.com> Swift N80528 s/n31, I recently purchased the above listed Swift and have just finished reading "The History of the Swift" on the Swift home page. I am confused. My aircraft started life as a GC-1A and was converted to a GC-1B via an STC in 1951 (according to the log entries). First log indicates Feb 1946 as manufacturing date and lists Globe as manufacturer. If my aircraft was one of the first GC-1A's built by Globe (SN 2 - SN429), and Temco started producing GC-1B's in May 1946, why does my aircraft have the "D" style rear windows representative of a Temco? My aircraft is now also designated as a "Temco Swift" on all the back registrations I have seen, as well as the current one. If this is not true, can I get this changed? Bob Runge Bob: Who changed yours to a GC-1B?
Was it Temco? It should have been done according to S.B.#27 - on a 337
form not an STC. The big thing in years gone by was to install a "new
look" kit, which replaced the slope shelf with a flat shelf and installed
the Temco style "D" windows. Nowadays, we would make out a 337 form on
this. (major alteration). But it’s on the original ATC & Temco
& others used to install them with a log entry & sometimes not
even THAT! Many old time FAA (CAA) people used the Globe & Temco terms
interchangeably, after Universal (Univair) bought the type certificate
many Swifts became listed as "Universal" as the manufacturer, even though
Univair never manufactured any airplanes. -- Jim Jerry, The control wheels were maroon in color. The Globe airplanes had a Globe decal or paint logo in the center. The Temco airplanes had a similar “Temco” design. The last time I saw N77759, it still had the blue stripes and red “Swift” bird painted on the cowl, that is the “correct” scheme for s/n 3531. I don’t have a detailed drawing, in case you need to redo it, but if you can get up here, we have several original Swifts locally. Look at the Swift site on the web and look at my site for photos of N2431B. -- Jim Montague WHERE
THE HELL DID THEY GET THEIR PARTS??? Lee, My s/n 3731 (N2431B) has had the left elevator changed, it is s/n 3762, which aircraft s/n was never built. That elevator came new on aircraft 3758. It was destroyed, and the elevator was put on s/n 3687 (N2387B) that aircraft was damaged and many of the parts off N78122 were used to rebuild it. I got the elevator many years ago and put it on my plane to replace one that had a scratch on it. Thanks for the note, I love the history of this stuff. BTW, s/n 111 is flying so I doubt if your RH elevator came from it, thats probably just the way Globe used control surfaces that day. I guess we Swift guys can’t be like the Corvette owners and advertise “all serial numbers match”, since so many didn’t right from the factory. -- Jim MONTY FIGURES OUT JUST
HOW MANY SWIFTS WERE BUILT... (4199) The Globe GC-1B's start at s/n 1001 and go to s/n 1504, which counts 504 aircraft, but s/n 1002 and 1004 were converted GC-1A's and have already been counted, so subtract two. But looking a little further along you see s/n 1527, so add one. Total count for this series ...503 The Temco built 1946 Swifts total 329 serial numbers, but s/.n 2001 and 2003 were converted GC-1A's so subtract 2 from 329. Total count here...327 The Temco airplanes from s/n 3501 to 3760 total 260. s/n 3531 was evidently converted from s/n 28 so subtract one from 260. Total count here...259 TOTAL SWIFT BUILT = 1497 Other Swifts may in fact have been converted GC-1A's, so the count may even be lower. I would welcome any input or commentary. -- Jim MORE DISCUSSION ON SWIFT
PRODUCTION NUMBERS... (11199) George, I don't believe those Swifts ever made it to France. I think N3333K was sold to a gentleman from Texas and N333DK is for sale in Florida. Puzzling, to me, The one that had the 220 Franklin and canopy is no longer listed as having either. Incidentally, there are two Swifts in Australia, several in Brazil, one in Chile and more in Canada and South Africa. There were two in the Philippines but they have been returned to the US, one sat on a dock in Los Angeles and now suffers terminal corrosion and the other, which flew around the world in the '50's is now in storage in Illinois. Jim SWIFT SERIAL NUMBER LISTING... Pete: STOCK vs MODIFIED... (11499) (Editor's two-cents worth follow...) Frank, These days, it seems that the majority Swifts that are close to original are not being customized. Most of the recently customized Swifts are made from Swifts that were already WAY past any resemblance to original before further customization began. (At least most of us would hope so...) The Association apparently does not seem care too much if a Swift that is already "cut-up" is customized further. Then you also have the individuals that on rare occasion make so many changes that they have to put their Swifts in the experimental category. Regarding number of owners. The Swifts in our family probably represent the two extremes. Our Swifts are three serial numbers apart and were built by Globe in October '46. In my mind's eye I can see them going down the line at the Globe plant, almost nose to tail with only '05Kilo and '06Kilo between them, soon to be parted but someday to be together again. My Swift, thus far, has had two owners (or, "caretakers", as some of us prefer to think of it). The original owner from April 1947 to August 1982 was the late Linn A. Gore of Santa Monica, CA. Then myself from Aug '82 through today. My wife's Swift, on the other hand, has had 29 owners. Erin has owned her Swift since February 1986 and has by far owned her Swift longer than her 28 predecessors. Most Swifts will fall somewhere in between our two in number of owners and I would challenge anyone to show me proof of a Swift that has had more than 29 owners. I'm also reminded now, as we are discussing one Swift with many owners, of the one owner that has had many Swifts. Mark Holliday of Lake Elmo has owned, I believe, 30+ Swifts. (And we won't count the Swift he won in a raffle and gave back...) Maybe Mark can email me with the exact number. As of this minute... Swifts are without a doubt the most modified production light airplane in the world. (Or any size airplane for that matter...) They tend to be as individual as their owners and in point of fact I think that is one of the things, to me anyway, that makes them so special. Like my wife was quoted in Stan Thomas' book, "The Globe Temco Swift Story"... "Swifts are like snowflakes, no two are alike." When you go to a Swift Fly-In if you haven't looked at all the Swifts there you haven't seen them all. Maybe some of the Swifters out there might have some numbers and/or opinions of their own on this subject. -- Denis NO MORE CALLS PLEASE,
WE HAVE A WINNER!!! (11599) I accept the challenge... Attached is a "Word" file containing the names and addresses, including the date of purchase for each of the owners of N3876K, Barb's airplane. There are 31 owners, if you include the birth parents "Temco." OK. what's my prize?..... A nice Swift when Barb is through restoring it is enough!!!
On to page 2 of Swift History & Production
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