Aero-Linx!

Scouring the information super airways can sometimes be a tough, if educational, task for the Aero-News staff... but it also allows us to check out some truly neat and exciting sites, so it's not that bad a gig. On any given day, we may check dozens (and often hundreds) of different sources for story ideas, and facts confirmation. And, as is the nature of our business, much of this is done on the Internet.

The ANN gang decided we probably shouldn't keep some of the neat sites, info resources, and organizations we've discovered to ourselves... so we decided to bring you Aero-Linx. These are the sites that WE check out -- when we need added perspective, a new spin on a day's topic... or just want to escape into cyber-aero-space for awhile.

Look for some of our favorite sites, coming each day to ANN via Aero-Linx. Suggestions for future Aero-Linx segments are always welcome, as well.

Aero Linx: The Globe Swift / Temco Swift Homepage

The birthplace of the Swift was Ft. Worth, TX, in early 1940. The very first low wing, two-place retractable gear aircraft called "The Swift" was built as what would be called today a "homebuilt," by Mr. R.S. "Pop" Johnson of Ft. Worth. Mr. Johnson was reputed to have taken the trial delivery of a Culver Cadet, measured its vital organs and returned it to Culver, no purchase. Then he built himself an aircraft and began looking for a financier and builder. Mr. Johnson contacted Mr. John Kennedy of Ft. Worth. Mr. Kennedy was president and founder of Globe Medicine Company and Globe Aircraft Company. Known locally as a financier, entrepreneur and an all around good business man, Mr. Kennedy's Globe Aircraft Company had been a very active sub-contractor during the war years, with production of Beech AT10's under contract for Beech and the war effort. Looking for postwar business, he and Mr. Johnson made a deal: Mr. Kennedy's company, Globe Aircraft Company, would build the Swift and Mr. Johnson would be in the employ of Globe...

FMI: http://saginawwings.com/index.htm