Swifter Dennis Mee writes...
Dennis Mee's Swift N3812K
Swifter Dennis Mee writes...
I believe N3812K began it's life in the Globe factory, at Fort Worth, Texas sometime in late 1946 and was transferred to The Texas Engineering and Manufacturing Company, Grand Prairie, on Sept 16, 1947 by Burton S. Paddock, Trustee in bankruptcy for Globe Aircraft. On Dec 5, 1947 a request was made to change the aircraft serial number from 1505 (Globe) to 3501 the first "official" Temco serial number and was certified Airworthy with a statement of conformity issued on April 6, 1948, (the same day my son Jeff was born but 28 years earlier). The airplane was first sold to H. K. Simonds, Jr. of Fitchburg Massachusetts on the 8th of April 1948 and changed owners at least once a year until 1955. Raymond & Mary Field of Beaver Falls, PA purchased it on Dec 27, 1955 as the 9th owners. hey kept it for 16 years then sold it to David Sumner of New Castle, PA on Oct 13, 1971, who owned it for 27 years. The airplane was returned to New England when David sold it to Jeff and I on Feb 19, 1998. After nearly 50 years the airplane is now based mearly 50 miles from it's first home.
Instrument panel "before" (left) and "during" (right)...
...and "after". Nice work.
David Sumner made some major Machen modifications in 1977 including the 210 HP conversion, the wing aux fuel tanks, and gross weight increase. He also installed a one piece windshield, new interior, and updated radios. Except for the modified cowl, he kept the exterior stock with absolutely no paint. Starting in the summer of 1998 we continued to modify it with Jim Thomason's control stick conversion, and Pneumatic squat switch installation. This has been a flying project for us and so far we have added Cleveland brakes, Merlyn aft baggage door, wing tip strobes, new instrument panel, radios, GPS, Electronic engine instruments and a co-pilot brake kit. The airframe has just over 1000 hrs total time with less than 300 SMOH on the engine and prop. There is absolutely no paint on the exterior, and it had been several years since the metal was polished so we are now in the process of compounding and polishing. We plan to paint the original Temco stripes and colors this summer. I have spent an awful lot of time and effort trying to make the airplane and paper work 100% compliant with the FARs, it has been a noble effort, however I'm not sure 100% can everybe reached - but we are trying.
The airplane, the Swift Association and interaction with other "Swifters" has been a most enjoyable experience for both Jeff and myself and we plan to keep this airplane for a long time.
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Many thanks to Dennis Mee for providing the photos and the information used on this page.
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