Supermarine 'spatfire'

[kitbasher]

The twenty years between the end of the First World War and the Munich Crisis were characterised by tight military budgetary constraints and an all-pervading conservatism amongst the RAF's leaders.  Such was the climate and culture that generally hampered aircraft development and led to inadequate equipment.  There were two exceptions to this rule, however.  The Fairey Fox, a private-venture development to an Air ministry specification, was a radical departure from the norm in that it introduced the concept of a (comparatively) aerodynamically clean design that resulted in a high speed light bomber that could easily outpace the RAF's fighters of the time.  The second was the Supermarine Swallow.
So impressed with the performance of the Schneider Trophy-winning Supermarine S.5, the Air Ministry ordered the development of a landplane derivative for Metropolitan point air defence duties.  Incorporating features that would also appear on the emerging S.6 (development funds were diverted from the S.6B programme, hence that type being privately funded), the Swallow had the distinction of being the RAF's first monoplane fighter since the Bristol M.1 and would remain so until the advent of the Hawker Hurricane.
Radical in so many ways, the Swallow was equally traditional.  Unlike its biplane contemporaries, it sported a water-cooled engine and eschewed external bracing of its flying surfaces.  It was also the first RAF fighter to be fitted with a three-blade propeller (albeit fixed-pitch) and an all-metal fuselage.  Conversely, the fin, rudder and wings were fabric-covered.  The monoplane configuration and slim fuselage meant that the armament (the traditional 2 x .303 Lewis guns) was mounted in fairings under the wings (a feature of the later Gladiator). 
The Swallow entered service with 43 Squadron in early 1929, replacing the Armstrong-Whitworth Siskin.  41 Squadron traded in its Siskins later the same year.
Although fast, fuel capacity and therefore range was limited.  In spite of its relatively advanced aerodynamics, the Swallow was let down by temperamental engines; the cash-strapped RAF could ill-afford an unreliable type that was expensive to build and operate and its days became quickly numbered.  So it was the Swallow was replaced in squadron service by a less radical, but more reliable and equally capable Hawker Fury in 1933.     
(donor kits: Airfix Supermarine S6b, Mosquito XVIII, Gladiator I, F-5A Freedom Fighter, Messerschmitt Bf110; Eastern Express Spitfire Vb 'Floatfire'; Aeroclub V056; Kopro Spitfire IXe)

[Chap]

Lovely work kitbasher! This era in history is definitely under appreciated and under modeled.

~Steve  

[PanzerWulff]

Awesome job Brian's going to be DROOLING all over his keyboard!!!    

  "Panzer"

[AeroplaneDriver]

Interwar stuff really isnt my cup of tea, but I still know a beautiful aircraft when I see one!  

Beautiful work!!

 

[Brian da Basher]

ohhh man I think I'm in LOVE!!!

This is one of the most beautiful aircraft ever to grace What-If kitbasher!

If that beauty could cook, I'd marry it!

Oh and it's got a pair of amazingly sexy spats!!!
Brian da Basher

[Leigh]

That looks right!

Interested to know wot the Freedom Fighter donated?

[AeroplaneDriver]

That looks right!

Interested to know wot the Freedom Fighter donated?

The exhaust fairings on the cowling look like they may be drop tanks...

[kitbasher]

That looks right!

Interested to know wot the Freedom Fighter donated?

The exhaust fairings on the cowling look like they may be drop tanks...

The basic kit is the Airfix S6b, so the fairings on th enose are in fact part of that kit asthey would cover the pistons on the original machine.  The exhaust pipes themselves came from an old Airfix Bf110.
The F-5 contribution is a bomb - cut in half and used as the fairing along the rear fuselage behind the cockpit.    

[AeroplaneDriver]

That looks right!

Interested to know wot the Freedom Fighter donated?

The exhaust fairings on the cowling look like they may be drop tanks...

The basic kit is the Airfix S6b, so the fairings on th enose are in fact part of that kit asthey would cover the pistons on the original machine.  The exhaust pipes themselves came from an old Airfix Bf110.
The F-5 contribution is a bomb - cut in half and used as the fairing along the rear fuselage behind the cockpit.  

But my guess was in the right general area, so I get half a point, right?

 

[kitbasher]

go on then, half a point to you then, AeroplaneDriver      

[ysi_maniac]

Absolutely gorgeous
         

[kitbasher]

SWALLOW GETS SMW COMMENDATION SHOCK!!!
Gulp - fame at last.  Well, with only 5 in the 'Whiff' class the odds were not exactly unfavourable.
Here's to next year!!
   

[Brian da Basher]

Well done! Congratulations!

Brian da Basher

[The Rat]

...with only 5 in the 'Whiff' class...

But you're 'spreading the word', which is the most important thing!  

Absolutely gorgeous model too.    

EDIT: Just noticed that your certificate says that it's an exhibit of a David Drake by Supermarine Swallow. Do they judge the Whiffs after a few drinks? Would seem appropriate...  

[Sisko]

Nice build!!!

I bet you could fool a lot of people with that one!