An Early Jet Age Manufacturer's Presentation Model of the First Production Variant of the Supermarine Swift F.1 Fighter

An Early Jet Age Manufacturer's Presentation Model of the First Production Variant of the Supermarine Swift F.1 Fighter - WK194 - given by Supermarine Aviation (Vickers) Ltd to Major M.L. van Bergen, Royal Netherlands Air Force.

Chromium plated steel on ebonised base with brass inscribed plaque

Supermaine Swift

The Supermarine Swift was a British single-seat fighter developed in the 1940's and 50's and flown, primarily by the R.A.F., between 1954 and the 1970's. With the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 and growing tension in Europe between N.A.T.O. and the Warsaw Pact there was an urgent demand for a new frontline fighter to counter the Soviet MiG-15. Accordingly, in 1951 the Swift project was upgraded to 'super-priority' by Churchill on his return to office as Prime Minister. Swift WK194, the first of the F.1 mark, was debuted in August 1952. The following year Swift WK198 took the world absolute speed record in Libya reaching a top speed of 737.7 mph (1187 km/h) though the title was lost only hours later to a United States Navy Douglas Skyray.

Originally intended for an interceptor role, the Swift entered squadron service with the R.A.F. the same year but was soon reallocated to photo reconnaissance after a spate of accidents caused by high-altitude flameouts resulting from shock waves entering the air intakes when the aircraft's two 30mm Aden cannon were fired. Following successful resolution of earlier setbacks, the Swift F.5 took its place in the line in Germany where it served until in 1961.

Major M.L. van Bergen

During World War II Major van Bergen served in Britain as a Spitfire pilot with the R.A.F's No. 322 (Dutch) Squadron from July 1943 to February 1945. As such he took part in the primary role sorties against Nazi V-1 rocket sites in northern France, and is credited with successfully destroying two incoming rockets by 'wingtipping'.