Supermarine Swift and type 535

The Supermarine Swift was a fighter that did not realise its ambitions of being a counter to Soviet bomber threats of the Cold War. It was designed at the same time as the Hawker Hunter but had the disadvantage of not being able to operate effectively at heights above 30,000 ft. In spite of this a special version gained the World's Absolute Air Speed Record early in its career over a measured mile in the Libyan desert. Only three squadrons of Swifts entered front line service two of which were permanently based in Germany.

Realising its inabilities at high level it was decided that it would make a very adequate low-level photo-reconnaissance aircraft and equipped with a variety of cameras was put into service in this role. The full history of the Swift is graphically described by author Tony Buttler with a large number of pictures to show the different mark variants in colour and black and white. The variety of Swift camouflage schemes have been illustrated by Richard J. Caruana's colour side and plan views and there is a 1:72nd scale plan in the centre spread as well as a complete break down of production and squadron allocations.