The Swallow Airplane Manufacturing Co was formed in 1923 to take over the business of the E.M. Laird Aviation Co. of Wichita, Kansas and set up its factory there. In 1924, the New Swallow three-seat biplane was introduced, which differed from the earlier Laird-Swallow in having a cowled engine, split axle undercarriage and single-bay wings.^[1] About 50 examples were produced until the design was enhanced in 1926. The initial price was $3,500 reducing to $2,485 in late 1926.

The Swallow OX-5, designed by Waverly Stearman, was introduced in 1927 and was the first Swallow to be built under an official ATC. This used a USA-27 airfoil and cabane N-struts. The Curtiss OX-5 water-cooled engine of the New Swallow was retained. About 250 examples were built.^[1]

Whilst in commercial service, many Swallows were fitted with higher powered engines including the 225 hp Wright J-5, and later the Continental R-670.

The three-seat Swallow found ready use in the hands of small commercial firms and with the newly founded regional airlines including Varney Air Lines, who used them to carry U.S. mails on the recently created Air Mail routes. After the fitment in later years of more powerful engines, a few remain in service including an example at the Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin which is used for commercial joyriding.^[2]

Source : Aerofiles^[1]

New Swallow

90 h.p. Curtiss OX-5, about 50 built 1924-1926

Swallow OX-5

90 h.p. Curtiss OX-5, with USA-27 airfoil and cabane N-struts, about 250 built from 1927

Swallow J-5

225 h.p. Wright J-5, fitted with metal propeller, brakes, larger fuel tank and custom paint. Unknown number built and modified from 1928.

Hisso Swallow

150 hp Hisso A, unknown numbers built from 1928.

Data from Aerofiles

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Capacity: 2 passengers
• Length: 23 ft 10 in (7.26 m)
• Wingspan: 32 ft 8 in (9.96 m)
• Useful lift: 753 lb (342 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Curtiss OX-5 piston, 90 hp (67 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 100 mph (160 km/h, 87 kn)
• Cruise speed: 85 mph (137 km/h, 74 kn)
• Stall speed: 40 mph (64 km/h, 35 kn)
• Range: 450 mi (720 km, 390 nmi)

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era edit

(partial listing, only covers most numerous types)

• Alexander Eaglerock
• American Eagle A-101
• Brunner-Winkle Bird
• Buhl-Verville CA-3 Airster
• Command-Aire 3C3
• Parks P-1
• Pitcairn Mailwing
• Spartan C3
• Stearman C2 and C3
• Travel Air 2000 and 4000
• Waco 10

Related lists edit

• List of aircraft
• List of civil aircraft

Notes edit

Bibliography edit

• Aerofiles: Specifications and images of Swallows
• Ogden, Bob (2007). Aviation Museums and Collections of North America. Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 978-0-85130-385-7.