Spartan 7W Executive

Spartan 8W ZUES according to Joseph Juptner was powered by
(P&W Wasp SC-G-550 h.p.)(Experimental) (8-14-37)

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The Model 12W first flew in May 26, 1946 -Engine: P&W R- 985 450 H.P. Cruise speed of 203 MPH Only one made and the last Executive built. It can be seen at Tulsa air and Space museum

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There is a Spartan Executive 12W at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum only one was ever made. It is not a tail dragger like the 7W. I was there when they got it. I am a Graduate from Spartan College and have access to much of the archived material due to a report that I did while in College.

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While attending Spartan Aeronautics in Tulsa, in 1970, there was a beautiful Spartan Executive roped off in their hanger. We were told to keep our distance from it, as a few students had been shot for touching it! It was a beautiful flying machine.

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As young boy between 10 and 14 years, I often saw an Executive on the ramp at the Hobbs, NM airport: this would have been 1949-1953. Some one who worked at the airport said it belonged to an oil company from Tulsa. It really stimulated my desire to fly; now have over 2000 hours, still flying, own a 55C baron, and have SIC type rating in DHC-8

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34 were built between 1936 and 1940 including a one off fighter version featuring a tandem two seat cockpit and known as the Spartan 8W Zeus with a 600 h.p. Pratt & Whitney Wasp.

Span 39'0" Length 26'10" Height 8'0" Wing area 250 sq ft
Empty weight 3,400 lb Gross weight 4,400 lb
Maximum speed 257 mph Cruising speed 215 mph Range 1,000 miles Service ceiling 24,000 ft

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I have seen this plane several times at Livermore, CA, airport for their "open house". This year (2015) it was parked next to a Beech "stagger wing". What a pair! Two of the most beautiful planes ever to grace the skies.

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I soloed a Spartan C-3 in November of 1939 at Mexia, Texas. It belonged to the Mexia Flying Club and was used by Dave Curry to give flight instruction and barnstorming. I was 14 years old and got my student permit when I became 16. At that time the CAA did not require a license to fly and "unlicensed airplane" off airways and outside of control zones. The airplane was not licensed because it did not meet some of the licensing requirements concerning maintenance. I have a picture of the airplane with me in the cockpit. There is a C-3 on display at the Tulsa Air Museum.

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Very interesting comments. I attended Spartan October 1942 until January 43 before going into the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Program. Obtained my private ticket and 20 hrs in Cub J3 and Fairchild 22? ie PT 19 Didnt tell the screeners at Cadet center that I had a ticket. My primary instructer, guessed it.Ben Hogan was also a student with me getting his instructors rating.Cant believe that 67 years and 12K since those days.Pardon this old mans rambling.

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I have a 1929 Spartan C3 that I would like to rebuild. My father bought this plane in 1931-32 era. Unfortunatly the engine was lost in fire about 5 years ago. I would like to replace the original engine but have not been able to fine one. It is a 9 cyl. Walters and there were other engines they offered including a Wright J6-5 and I believe J6-7 and also a Ryan engine. If anyone would know where there is a Walter 9 cyl. or one of the others I would appreciate any help you could give me.
Thanks, and happy flying.
David Warthan

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I am the fortunate owner of two Spartan 7W Executives here in the UK, the only two I beleive out of the US. I am particularly interested in Stan White's account of his Mother flying in NC17633 as I own that one - I would be very happy to link up with Stan and very interested in seeing the photos he refers to. I also own NC17615 which flew in the 1938 National Air Race - Bendix, the plane also featured in a John Wayne movie in 1938, 'The Overland Stage Raiders'. They are both in great shape, all credit goes to the previous owners, flew them from South Carolina 'over the top' to the UK.

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The production Execs had a 450 hp Wasp, retractable gear and flaps; all high tech at the time. One, N17633, was sold to the owner of West Texas oil service company who curried favor with clients by flying their wives on shopping trips in Dallas, my mother among them; I have several photos of her and other stylish dressed ladies boarding the plane. Mom, who was also a pilot, said in summer they typically cruised around 160 knots at 8000' to avoid the heat. She also mentioned that the plane had a "automatic" AN (4-pole radio direction beacon) receiver, which was very unusual in a private aircraft of the day. She told of flying from Dallas - Midland in winter where they encountered snow near Abilene but safely navigated on to Midland by first flying from the Abilene "beam" until it intersected the Midland beam, then followed that beam until they found clear air estimating their distance knowing their speed and the intersection point.
N17633 is still flying and owned by someone in Britain.

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In the late 1960's and early 1970's I worked for Mr. J Paul Getty who gave me a signed copy of his book: "As I see it...." In it he discusses his ownership of the Spartan Aircraft business before the war. It is very interesting and for a more factual discussion of this subject, I would encourage your readers to check this out.

Also, This is from the Spartan website

www.spartantrailer.com /

"Follow the restoration of a Spartan Manor from the first year of production. Learn the history of how famed oil tycoon, J. Paul Getty, turned an aircraft company into a luxury trailer manufacturing enterprise."

Neil Hohmann
Charlotte, NC

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About the aircraft, No! About the school, Yes! The Spartan School of Aeronautics is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, near the Tulsa International Airport. The school has and has had for years, an excellent reputation for turning out well trained graduates in many disciplines. Graduates are in great demand in many areas of the aircraft industry.

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The EAA has one in their hanger at Oshkosh,and a few show up each year for the fly in, Also two years ago the only tri gear version was at OSH.,

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It should be noted that the Spartan flying school Dave mentioned was a major location in the Captain Midnight radio serials of the 1930s-40s. The show was also sponsored, for a time, by Skelly Oil. In the mythos of the show, many of the side characters learned to fly at Spartan. I believe, during the show's original run, it hosted a competition in which one could win several lessons at the real school.

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Spartan was founded by oil tycoon William Skelly (Skelly Oil) and began as an aeronautical school and aircraft manufacturer. The Executive was a popular aircraft for the wealthy "flyer", almost as an airborne limousine for the oil "executive", very much akin to the popularity of the Lear Jet in the 1970s for movie stars. It was high tech, reliable, and beautiful. It could also match or beat a Boeing Model 17, a Lockheed 212, and a DC-3 in terms of speed and range. Howard Hughes owned one, so did the King of Iraq. Some still fly today.

Spartan is no longer building airplanes but instead trains pilots and continues its tradition of providing aviation with technicians of many disciplines. Both flight and tech graduates are highly regarded throughout the world.

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The Executive was built by Spartan and it appeared as a competitor to the Beeech Model 17 biplane. I have never seen how the two compared. this airplane was flown about 35 years after the Wright Bros first flight. 70 years have elapsed since the first flight of the Executive. I wonder if from the point of view of GA if as much progress has been seen since the first flight as was seen in the period between first flight and Wright Bros first flight. I believe that both the Model 17 and the Executive were powered by a 450 hp PW Wasp Junior.

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The Lear Jet of its day. It is still a sexy plane.

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This Aircraft can be seen at www.spartan7w.com

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