1932 - Comper Swift.
This Comper Swift was the ninth Swift to be built in 1932 and a 15 minute test flight was made on August 24 1932 by Nick Comper. It was originally registered to Alban Ali as VT-ADO ‘The Scarlet Angel’ and spent the first part of its life in India.
It was a competitor in the 1933 Viceroy’s Challenge Cup Air Race in Delhi. Also competing in this race was Richard Shuttleworth and his flying instructor George Stead, racing in two more Comper Swifts. Alban Ali came sixth with the second fastest time at 124mph. Richard Shuttleworth retired from the race. After the race Ali left Delhi to fly the Swift back to England escorted by George Stead. During this flight Ali had to make a forced landing near Gaza and VT-ADU was badly damaged.
After repairs Ali continued his flight, but the engine was not working properly and Ali crated VT-ADO and shipped it to Heston. ‘The Scarlet Angel’ was then sold to George Errington who rebuilt it and re-registered the aircraft as G-ACTF on May 24 1934, with the aircraft then flying soon after.
During 1998 it was overhauled and restored to its original factory condition and paint scheme.
1932 - Comper Swift.
This Comper Swift was the ninth Swift to be built in 1932 and a 15 minute test flight was made on August 24 1932 by Nick Comper. It was originally registered to Alban Ali as VT-ADO ‘The Scarlet Angel’ and spent the first part of its life in India.
It was a competitor in the 1933 Viceroy’s Challenge Cup Air Race in Delhi. Also competing in this race was Richard Shuttleworth and his flying instructor George Stead, racing in two more Comper Swifts. Alban Ali came sixth with the second fastest time at 124mph. Richard Shuttleworth retired from the race. After the race Ali left Delhi to fly the Swift back to England escorted by George Stead. During this flight Ali had to make a forced landing near Gaza and VT-ADU was badly damaged.
After repairs Ali continued his flight, but the engine was not working properly and Ali crated VT-ADO and shipped it to Heston. ‘The Scarlet Angel’ was then sold to George Errington who rebuilt it and re-registered the aircraft as G-ACTF on May 24 1934, with the aircraft then flying soon after.
During 1998 it was overhauled and restored to its original factory condition and paint scheme.