Spartan Three Seater
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Three Seater | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| ZK-ARH, the surviving Three Seater II, in New Zealand | |
| Type | Tourer/Pleasure Flying |
| Manufacturer | Spartan Aircraft Limited |
| Maiden flight | 1930 |
| Number built | 25 |
| Developed from | Simmonds Spartan |
The Spartan Three Seater was a British three-seat biplane touring and pleasure flying aircraft built by Spartan Aircraft Limited.
Contents |
[edit] History
Built as a three-seat version of the Simmonds Spartan, the Three Seater was a three-seat biplane with a spruce and plywood fuselage. Although not many aircraft were built the Three Seater was a mainstay of the pleasure flying business in the 1930s. The wings were designed to fold back easily, in order to be stored in a shed rather than requiring a dedicated hangar.
Following the first batch of aircraft, designated the Three Seater I, an improved version was built and designated as the Three Seater II. The six Three Seater IIs had improved visibility for the pilot and easier access for the passengers, and were powered by a 130 horsepower Cirrus Hermes IV engine.
One Three Seater II (registered as ZK-ARH) currently survives, owned by a private individual in New Zealand, having passed through British and Irish owners (as G-ABYN and E-ABU) since its manufacture in June 1932.
[edit] Production
- Three Seater I - 19 aircraft
- Three Seater II - 6 aircraft
[edit] Operators
The aircraft was mainly operated by flying clubs and private individuals:
Australia
Republic of Ireland
Iraq: Iraq Airwork Limited
South Africa
Tanganyika
United Kingdom: British Airways Limited
[edit] Specifications (Three Seater II)
General characteristics
- Length: 26 ft 3 in ()
- Wingspan: 28 ft 10 in ()
- Height: 9 ft 8 in ()
- Wing area: 240 ft² ()
- Empty weight: 1,030 lb (kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,680 lb ()
Performance
- Maximum speed: 107 mph
- Range: 260 miles ()
- Rate of climb: 750 ft/min ()
[edit] Reference
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
- Jackson, A.J. (1974). British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 3. London: Putnam. ISBN 0 370 10014 X.
[edit] External links
[edit] Related content
Designation sequence
Simmonds Spartan • Spartan Arrow • Spartan Three Seater • Spartan Cruiser • Spartan Clipper
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