Dream Machine. NC17615 - a photo on Flickriver

            Spartan 7W Executive landing at Old Warden, Race day 23

The Golden Age of Spartan

Separating Myth From Reality

By Jim Savage

The Spartan Aircraft Company will forever be remembered for producing the Spartan Executive, one of the most innovative and desirable aircraft ever designed during the Golden Age of Aviation.  Accompanying the fame of such a distinctive and memorable piece of aviation art are the inevitable myths and misunderstandings regarding production numbers, features and the ultimate disposition of individual aircraft. Fortunately, documentation and photographic evidence still exist to provide a complete and accurate history of the Spartan Executive and related models produced by Spartan Aircraft Company from 1935 through 1946.

The first Spartan airplane was built in 1926 and like most airplanes of that era, it was a fabric covered biplane.  From that starting point through 1934, a variety of designs were constructed, ranging from two seat, low powered training or sport aircraft, to biplanes to high wing monoplanes capable of seating five.  While these were generally regarded as good airplanes, Spartan never achieved the commercial success of other prominent aircraft manufacturers of the time.  In an attempt to change that situation, Spartan’s seventh basic airplane design was not only leading edge for the time, but was destined to eventually be regarded as an art deco masterpiece.

The basic premise of the design was to have an airplane that was both fast and luxurious and would appeal to corporate executives.  Targeted performance was 200 miles per hour with a range of 1000 miles, while providing the comfort of a fine limousine.   The new airplane was designed by James B. Ford and consisted of an all aluminum exterior instead of the traditional fabric covering used on most other period airplanes.  Two models were originally envisioned; the Standard Seven that would be powered by a 260 H.P. Jacobs engine and the Super Seven that would be powered by a 400 H.P. Pratt & Whitney engine.  

The initial experimental prototype was powered by an experimental 260 H.P. Jacobs engine with a Hamilton Standard ground adjustable two blade propeller.  Construction began in 1935 and it first flew on March 8, 1936.  This aircraft was designated as a 7X, representing the seventh basic model developed by Spartan.  The registration number was X-13994, with the X representing the experimental status.  The test flights indicated a need for significant design changes and more power. The engine was upgraded to a certified 285 H.P. Jacobs engine with a Curtiss-Reed fixed pitch propeller. What emerged from the factory after the design changes were made was an airplane quite similar in appearance to what we now recognize as a Spartan Executive.  It also marked the genesis of confusing and sometimes conflicting model designations. Following is a copy of the initial experimental license issued by the US Bureau of Air Commerce on March 5, 1936.

Taken on: October 1, 2023

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Camera: Sony ILCE-1, f/7.1, 1/200 sec, 600mm, ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Sony ILCE-1
Lens:	FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
Aperture:	f/7.1
Exposure Time:	0.005 sec (1/200)
Focal Length:	600mm
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Manual
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Center-weighted average
White Balance:	Auto
Saturation:	High
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	ILCE-1 v1.32
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