Barnes Wallis Swallow

[Scott K]

The Barnes Wallis Swallow, an SST design from 1955! Swing wings, and swinging engine pods, too. Just started this one last night. Don't know where all that ambition came from, but I finished most of the main design last night. Today I just added some detail and refinements, and am about to start the first test build. Sure wish I hadn't run of of color ink again. This one looks great in Pan-Am markings.

Pics of the build to follow.


Scott K.

[Uyraell]

Don't worry too much about coloured inks, Scott my friend.
The original Barnes Wallis Swallow model that he took before the Parliamentary Aviation Select Committee, circa 1950, was white painted wood and about 30 inches long. It incorporated the moving swing-wings and engine pods.
There is a photo of Barnes Wallis standing next to the model I describe, and despite the only moderately good quality of that photo, much useful detail can be discerned.

I am thoroughly delighted you have decided to design this Swallow model, I never thought one would exist in any medium. Nor did I ever so expect.

I shall look forward with very great interest to each new development of your BW-Swallow model , Scott.
It will be so far as I know unique, and I wish you every success with it.
Congratulations on a fine, rare, and most worthwhile choice.

Kind and Respectful Regards Scott, Uyraell.

[richkat]

Found a plastic model of it at Barnes Wallis Swallow SST - Catalog Page 1/144 scale......looks cool.....Rich

[Uyraell]

Thank you for that, Rich my friend.
I'd not known about the 1:144 kit.
Not that I can afford it, and to be honest, I've never built a resin kit, nor ever thought of owning one. Out here at the end of the known universe, costs for such things are prohibitive.

I'm glad to see the kit, though I'm looking forward greatly to Scott K's development of his BW-Swallow model project.

Kind and Respectful Regards Rich, Uyraell.

[Scott K]

Thanks, Uyraell, I'm glad you like it. I've gotten far enough in my testbuild to tell I'm going to like it a lot, myself. I'd post some pictures, but need the laptop my wife is currently using. I'll put them up sometime tomorrow.

Rich, that kit is one of my main references. Except for the same 3-view Fantastic Plastic used, the model pictures are about all I could find of the airliner version.

After this one is done, I'm considering the research and bomber versions as well (see pic).

Scott K.

[Scott K]

The first pics of my "half-fast" build. Taken in my current cramped building area on the kitchen table, next to my building case and a pile of printed kits. The port wing parts are just dry fitted. I still need to decide how to, or if, I'm going to make the swing function workable.

Scott K.

[JohnM]

Lookin' good so far Scott, I will follow this with interest.

I didn't know BW went on to such things after his bouncing bombs.
But then again, after looking around the Fantastic-Plastic site,
I discovered there's a heck of a lot more that I didn't know.

There's a lot of inspiration on there for our paper designers.
Well worth a look around.

Johnny.

[billy.leliveld]

I think this is the picture Uyraell is talking about

[Uyraell]

Originally Posted by billy.leliveld

I think this is the picture Uyraell is talking about

Yes it is Billy, and Thank you my friend, for finding it.
Though it my memory of the size of the model is clearly inaccurate, since the model in the picture is closer to 72 inches long as opposed to the 30 inches I inaccurately recalled.
Then again, it's been about 25 years since I last saw that picture, though I am 100% certain that is the image I recalled.

Barnes Wallis, in his own words, was "...hopeful, that day, that some good development would come of it (the appearance before the Parliamentary Select Committee on Aviation) but, alas, as usual, bureaucratic inertia and lack of forward-thinking vision once again took over."

It seems nothing much has changed since then, as far as the government bureaucrats perceive technology and thereafter failing dismally to nurture it.

BW was a visionary, and like many of his kind, a realist also.
He had already proved his worth, but as is usual, went unheeded when it came to an achievable future.
Bear in mind, folks, the appearance that day regarding the Swallow was at a time when the Brabazon was being built, and the DH Comet was shortly to be rolled-out of the hangar doors.
The Swallow was effectively two generations ahead of the DH Comet, yet could have been built using much of the same technology.

Had the Swallow been built, the UK would once again have lead the world in aviation technology.

Which is one reason why the Swallow concept has always fascinated me: it is a perfect "What-if?" model.

I look keenly forward to watching Scott's very neat design evolve, and am glad to see the rapid progress thus far.

Kind and Respectful Regards my friends, Uyraell.

[richkat]

Google has a lot of pic of it.....Rich Barnes Wallis Swallow - Google Search