SWS C-1

The SWS C‑1 was the first aircraft produced by the Swiss engineering firm Schweizerische Wagons‑ und Aufzügefabrik AG (SWS) in Schlieren near Zürich. Developed in the early 1920s, the model emerged from the company’s ambition to diversify beyond railway wagons and elevators into the rapidly expanding field of aeronautics. The prototype made its maiden flight in June 1923, piloted by a local ace, and quickly proved the viability of a domestically built plane for a country that had relied on foreign types.

Key features of the C‑1 included a low‑wing, single‑bay monoplane layout with a wooden frame and fabric covering, a reliable 80 hp Le Rhône rotary engine, fixed split‑axle landing gear, and an enclosed side‑by‑side cockpit offering improved visibility for training and liaison duties. The aircraft’s simple construction allowed for rapid assembly and low maintenance, while the modest powerplant gave it a cruising speed of about 140 km/h and a range of 600 km—adequate for Swiss regional routes and flight‑school work.

Although only a handful were built, the SWS C‑1 marked the beginning of a national aircraft industry, gave Swiss pilots a locally sourced trainer, and laid the technical groundwork for later SWS designs such as the C‑2 and the more advanced military trainers of the 1930s. Its legacy endures as a symbol of Swiss ingenuity in early aviation.