By Jim Roberts
If you spy a sporty little plane with a Cheshire-cat grin at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, chances are it’s the “smiley face” grill of a Globe Swift. This hallmark of the aircraft, along with sleek lines and leading edge wing slots, seems to say, “Hey friend, let’s go have some fun.” And as they celebrate the 80th birthday of their beloved little bird, that’s exactly what Swift caretakers are doing.
The sporty craft was born in 1946 when Globe Aircraft Corp. rolled out the GC-1A Swift. Shortly after, Globe replaced the 85-hp GC-1A with the 125-hp GC-1B, and orders poured in. To keep up with demand, Globe issued a production subcontract to TEMCO (the Texas Engineering and Manufacturing Company). Later beset with dwindling demand and financial challenges, Globe went bankrupt in 1947; TEMCO bought the assets and continued production until August 1951. Ultimately 911 Swifts came off the Globe line, and 586 were built by TEMCO, for a total of 1,497 aircraft.
Today, “Swifters” (the self-proclaimed moniker for Swift owners) are supported by the Swift Museum Foundation (SMF), which owns the type certificate and provides parts and expertise to keep the airplanes flying. SMF members number over 600, representing nearly 450 aircraft worldwide, including aircraft in Europe, South America, Canada, South Africa, and even Russia.
It’s said that “Swifts are like snowflakes; no two are alike.” Some have been modified to include higher-horsepower engines, control sticks to replace the original wheels, and a sliding bubble canopy. Many cherish the originality of a stock Swift, and some owners, like my wife and I, have found a “sweet spot” between originality and high-performance; our bird is mostly original while concealing a 210-hp Continental behind a modified nose. Swifts of all varieties can be found at AirVenture this week, and I’d like to introduce some of my friends and their airplanes.
Paul and Sandy Mercandetti’s 1946 GC-1B is parked with “The Class of ’46” across from the Vintage Aircraft Association Red Barn. Paul acquired the Swift in 2000 as a project and recalled, “We took a basic airframe and found a wing from one airplane, a wing from another, tail feathers from another. Found an engine in a box, pulled it out, mounted it up, and used it to set all the baffling and cowling, and built an instrument panel.” The restoration included a 210-hp Continental that Paul artfully fit behind the original “smiley face.” Paul and Sandy enjoy formation flying in their Swift, and they’re both check pilots with the Swift Formation Committee.
Dr. Bruce Kaufman is a retired pediatric neurosurgeon, so the gent’s got some smarts; his immaculately polished 210-hp “Super Swift” reflects that. Sporting dual control sticks, a sliding bubble canopy, 210-hp Continental engine, and a 21st-century glass panel, the plane is a real traveler. Bruce said, “This year’s project is trying to hit all 48 states and I’ve got 31 down.”
Like Bruce, Terry and Wade Gillaspie love traveling with their Swift, having flown the plane nationwide, even to Alaska. Wade gets impressive speed out of the 145-hp engine, typically cruising at 150 mph. He explained, “I think the aerodynamics have a lot to do with it. I’ve spent a whole lot of time working on engine baffling and cowling and fit, trying to get all the cooling air drag off of it.” The couple have become lifelong friends with other Swifters, and Terry remarked, “It’s a true blessing to be with all these people, and they fill my heart. We have more young guys and girls coming into the program, and we’re excited about that.”
Twenty-four year-old Evan Pearce is one of those young folks. He first spotted his Swift in Columbus, Indiana, while getting maintenance done on his Cessna 120. Evan recalled, “I saw the Swift and I said, ‘I have to own that airplane.’” After selling the Cessna and pooling his resources in 2022, the Swift was his. Evan said, “It’s been an incredible airplane. It’s vintage … The ramp appeal’s all there … It’s a 110-knot airplane … it’s economical. And if I want to go out and have fun, I can do light aerobatics. So it doesn’t do any one thing perfectly, but it does a little bit of all of them.”
Evan and his favorite co-pilot, Paige Bishop, met in college and now fly for the airlines. When asked how she likes the Swift, Paige enthused, “Oh my gosh, it’s just so responsive and so much fun to just go out and fly, even on long trips. We’ve taken it to the Bahamas.” She added, “I don’t think there’s anybody that could take better care of that Swift. He polishes it every year. I helped last year, doing everything under the airplane.” To which I replied, “Evan, she’s a keeper!”
Jack Albright is all smiles when talking about the Swift he bought in 2022. He said, “I’m on the constant search for all the possible upgrades I can get. I’ve done the gear doors, the diamond-treaded vintage tires. Just did a whole engine rebuild, and I want to put skylights in the top. Got some new radios; anything that’s available, it’s got to go on. And it’s cool, and it’s affordable to buy and operate. I’ve been in and out of 1,200-foot grass strips with it, and I can bring all sorts of stuff. I mean, it does everything.”
Jack represents the new generation of Swifters, and he’s part of a young group unofficially known as “The Whippersnappers.” They include Evan Pearce, Ray Brown, Daniel Probst, and Drew Stewart. I tell Jack they’re the future of the Swift and he says, “We’re trying our best.” Now that’s something to smile about.
