Country of origin:

United Kingdom

Description:

Two-seat light touring and training monoplane

Power Plant:

One 67 kw (90 hp) Blackburn Cirrus Minor 1 four-cylinder in-line air-cooled engine

Specifications:

History:

The BA Swallow was developed by the British Klemm Aeroplane Co Ltd (later British Aircraft Manufacturing Co Ltd) in 1935 from the Klemm L 25 two-seat monoplane, the first of which was flown in Germany in 1927. A number were imported to the United Kingdom and two were fitted with Pobjoy R seven-cylinder radial engines in place of the Salmson radial engine. The British Klemm Aeroplane Co was set up at Hanworth in Greater London to manufacture the type, which was strengthened structurally to meet British airworthiness requirements.

About 28 examples of the first model produced, the BK Swallow, were built before production switched to a modified version which had curved wingtips, a straight rudder and tailplane, and flat-sided top decking on the fuselage. At the time the manufacturer’s name was changed, as noted above, and subsequently 105 examples of the new model, known as the BA Swallow 2 [or II], were built. Engines fitted included the 56 kw (75 hp) British Salmson AD-9 radial, the 63 kw (85 hp) Pobjoy Cataract II, or the Pobjoy Niagara. At some stage the Cirrus Minor in-line engine was offered as an alternative.

A number of Swallows have been registered in Australia over the years. VH-UTQ (c/n 403) was registered on 23 September 1935 to T M Bowman of Muswellbrook, NSW. It was later obtained in 1946 by Alexander Oliver of Gunnedah, NSW but crashed near Tamworth on 21 June 1953.

VH-UUH (c/n 407) was registered to the Newcastle Aero Club, NSW on 30 September 1935. It later went to A W McKenzie of Ascot Vale, VIC; and in 1941 it was fitted with a Genet Major Mk I engine. It was written off after being damaged by high winds at Mascot, NSW on 28 November 1941.

VH-UUM (c/n 409) was registered to R H F Hickson in Western Australia on 1 November 1935. It had a series of owners until withdrawn from use in May 1965. It underwent restoration in Melbourne, VIC and was fitted with a Pobjoy engine.

VH-UUJ (c/n 412) was fitted with a Pobjoy Cataract engine. It was registered to Adastra Airways Ltd on 21 October 1935. It crashed at West Wyalong, NSW on 10 October 1937 and, during repairs, it was fitted with a Pobjoy Niagara Mk I engine. The registration lapsed in September 1947.

VH-UUN (c/n 414) was fitted with the Pobjoy Cataract engine. It was registered to J J Connolly of Bondi Beach, NSW on 18 November 1935, ownership being transferred to Airflite Ltd of Mascot in July 1937. On 2 April 1938 it was damaged in a ground collision with General Aircraft Genairco VH-UOG. It subsequently operated with the Central Western Flying School at Cowra, NSW and was sold to C A Goodsell of Grenfell, NSW in 1940. It was struck off the register when it was retired from use in February 1946. In 1987 it was located in a barn at Grenfell, by Alan Shiels and work commenced on its restoration. However, there are reports it was exported to New Zealand where it is under restoration at Christchurch.

Swallow c/n 461 (ex VT-AIG, G-AFBB) had a Cirrus Minor engine and flew from Heston in the UK for twelve months before joining the Bombay Aero Club in India. After a brief period it was exported to Australia and was first registered as VH-AAB on 26 November 1937. During World War II it was stored as it was not considered suitable for use by the RAAF. It subsequently had a number of owners, being damaged in an accident in 1960. It was eventually restored, being airworthy and based at Watts Bridge in Queensland.

In addition to these aircraft, three BK L 25c-1 Swallows were registered: VH-USH (c/n 24) was registered to Adastra Airways Ltd on 19 November 1934, having a number of owners until it crashed landing at Orange, NSW on 30 December 1938. It was subsequently destroyed in a hangar fire on 3 March the following year.

VH-URZ (c/n 29) was registered to Adastra Airways Ltd on 25 February 1935 and had a 63 kw (85 hp) Pobjoy Cataract engine, later replaced by a Pobjoy Niagara I in 1941. It was withdrawn from use at Canowindra, NSW in September 1947.

VH-UTA (c/n 31) was registered to J F Jackson of St George, QLD on 25 February 1935. It had a number of owners over the years, eventually being retired after being damaged in a forced landing at Calliope, QLD on 2 November 1947. The BK L 25s had either the 56 kw (75 hp) British Salmson AD-9 engine, or the 63 kw (85 hp) Pobjoy Cataract II engine.

As mentioned, a few Swallows are known to exist in this region. The ex-Australian machine VH-UUN is in Christchurch, New Zealand undergoing restoration to airworthiness.

Two Swallows have been registered in New Zealand. One (c/n 489) was registered to W S Shackleton Ltd on 7 June 1935, being exported to New Zealand, taking up the registration ZK-AGO (ex G-AFHR) and operating with the Otago Aero Club at Dunedin. During World War II it was impressed into RNZAF service as NZ583 by the Air Department. It was later sold and was registered ZK-AGR with Queenstown & Mount Cook Airways Ltd of Timaru on 6 September 1940. The registration was cancelled on 24 January 1941 and it was placed in storage at the old Timaru airport.

The other Swallow was ZK-AEN (c/n 435) which was registered on 25 July 1936 to R L Wigley of Timaru. It was withdrawn from service in February 1940 and placed in storage at Saltwater Creek, the old Timaru airport. However, on 6 July 1945 both it and ZK-AGR were submerged in floodwaters and written off.