Swallow New Swallow
Swallow Airplane Company · United States · first flew 1924 · light aircraft
The Swallow New Swallow was an updated biplane produced by the Swallow Airplane Company of Wichita, Kansas, building on the original Swallow design that had itself evolved from the Lincoln Standard. It represented the maturing Wichita light-aircraft industry of the late 1920s.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Wire-braced fabric-covered fuselage typical of late-1920s US light biplanes |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Open-cockpit biplane from Wichita with equal-span wings and N-type interplane struts
- OX-5 or Curtiss-Wright Whirlwind radial under a long-chord cowling
- Wire-braced fabric-covered fuselage typical of late-1920s US light biplanes
The equal-span open-cockpit biplane silhouette with N-type interplane struts is typical of late-1920s American light biplanes; the Swallow's relatively long fuselage and high stance distinguish it from shorter-coupled types.
Specifications
- The Swallow New Swallow has a length of 7.26 m (24 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.96 m (33 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 161 km/h (100 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Swallow Airplane Company played a significant role in establishing Wichita as an aviation centre; early Swallow biplanes trained many pilots and helped launch the careers of figures including Walter Beech and Clyde Cessna. The 'New Swallow' was an improved model intended to modernise the design with a more powerful engine and revised structure.
Variants
Various engine fits were offered including the Curtiss OX-5 and later the Wright J-5 Whirlwind, each changing the aircraft's performance profile.
Where you'll see it
Used for primary training, barnstorming, and private flying across the United States during the late 1920s and early 1930s; the type was superseded by monoplanes and purpose-built trainers.
Related aircraft
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