Written by Tom Sullivan
As featured on page 53 in the August 2012 issue of Model Aviation.
As featured in the Model Aviation tablet app.
I count myself lucky enough to be in a position as a product reviewer for Model Aviation throughout the past several years. I’ve covered several sport models, but the main focus of my reviews seem to be Scale models. Most have been Mustangs, Extras, Wacos, Cubs, Stearmans, and many other mainstream designs.
However, every once in a while I’m offered something that makes me take notice and I can hear myself quoting that famous line from Monty Python, “Now for something completely different.”
Such is the case with this Globe/Temco Swift ARF from Maxford. I’m sure someone has penned plans for it at some point, but I’m hard-pressed to think of any manufacturer that’s ever kitted one. Because of that, there’s not much danger of running into a swarm of similar versions at the field!
The full-scale Swift was designed in 1940 and was the first low-wing, two-place aircraft with retractable landing gear. It was also one of the first all-metal aircraft available for civilian pilots. If you’d like to learn more about the full-scale Swift, I’d suggest visiting the Globe Swift/Temco Swift website at www.saginawwings.com.
Read all about the construction process and flight handling on page 53 in the August 2012 issue of Model Aviation magazine or in the Model Aviation tablet app in iTunes and Google Play.
- Model type: Semiscale ARF
- Skill level: Intermediate builder; intermediate pilot
- Wingspan: 56 inches
- Wing area: 390 square inches
- Airfoil: Semisymmetrical
- Length: 40 inches
- Weight: 3 pounds, 9 ounces
- Power system: .10-size 1100 Kv brushless motor, 40- to 60-amp ESC, 3S 2100 mAh LiPo
- Radio: Six-channel radio with six mini servos
- Retail price: $219.99 (Swift ARF kit); $28.99 (instrument panel with lights); $11.99 (World War I pilot)
- Power: E-flite Power 10; JETI Advance ESC
- Battery: E-flite 3S 2100 mAh LiPo
- Propeller: APC 12 x 6 Slow Flyer
- Radio system: JR R921 receiver; four Hitec HS-55 servos; two Spektrum H3000 submicro servos; three 10-inch servo extensions; two 6-inch servo extensions; three Y harnesses; one Spektrum 1500 mAh receiver battery; one power switch
- Ready-to-fly weight: 3 pounds, 15 ounces
- Flight duration: 10-12 minutes
- Faithful reproduction of the full-scale Swift.
- Electric main gear retracts are standard and installed.
- The wing panels are removable and include LE slots.
- Sliding motor box gives a couple of inches of adjustment to allow a wide range of motor sizes to be used.
- The canopy is held on by magnets and doubles as a radio/battery hatch.
- The cowl comes prepainted in matching paint and is also held in place by magnets.
- The instruction manual was missing some steps. Since the time of this kit review, Maxford has produced an addendum that is available online.