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Spartan C2

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Spartan C2
Role sport aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Spartan Aircraft Company
Designer Willis Brown[1]
First flight 1931[2]
Number built over 56[1]
Jacobs L-3-powered Spartan C2-60

TheSpartan C2is alight aircraftproduced in the United States in the early 1930s as a low-cost sport machine that would sell during theGreat Depression.

Design and development

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The C2 is a conventional, low-wing monoplane design with two seats side-by-side in an open cockpit.[2][3]The wing was braced with struts and wires and it carried the main units of the divided fixed undercarriage. Power was supplied by a small radial engine mounted tractor-fashion in the nose, which drove a two-bladed propeller.

Spartan introduced the C2 in 1931 with a 55-hp engine, and sold 16 examples before ongoing economic circumstances brought production to a halt.[2]Spartan then built 2 examples with 165-hp engines to use in their own flying school. These latter aircraft were fitted with hoods that could be closed over the cockpit for training pilots in instrument flying.[1][4]Spartan offered this version to the U.S. military as a trainer,[5]but officials at the time believed that low-wing monoplanes were unsuitable for pilot training.[4]Spartan also tendered a proposal to the U.S. Bureau of Air Commerce to provide its inspectors with a two-seat light aircraft.[5]The design in question was probably the C2-60,[5]but in any case, the tender was not accepted.[5]

Variants

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  • C2-60— initial production version with 55–60 hp (41–45 kW)Jacobs L-3engine (16 built)[1][2]
  • C2-165— trainer with 165 hp (123 kW)Wright J-5engine and hood for instrument training for Spartan School of Aeronautics (2 built)[1]

Operators

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  • Spartan School of Aeronautics (2 × C2-165)

Aircraft on display

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Three C2s are preserved in museums — a restored example on display at theTulsa Air and Space Museum,[6]a restored and flyable example at theWestern Antique Aeroplane & Automobile MuseuminHood River, Oregon,and an example awaiting restoration at theGolden Wings Flying Museum,Blaine, Minnesota.[7]

Specifications (C2-60)

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Data fromJane's all the World's Aircraft 1931,[8]Aerofiles: Spartan[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew:1
  • Capacity:1 pax
  • Length:22 ft 5.25 in (6.8390 m)
  • Wingspan:40 ft (12 m)
  • Height:6 ft 11.5 in (2.121 m)
  • Wing area:161.8 sq ft (15.03 m2)
  • Airfoil:Clark Y
  • Empty weight:684 lb (310 kg)
  • Gross weight:1,125 lb (510 kg)
  • Fuel capacity:Fuel:15 US gal (12 imp gal; 57 L); Oil:1.5 US gal (1.2 imp gal; 5.7 L)
  • Powerplant:1 ×Jacobs L-33-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 60 hp (45 kW)
  • Propellers:2-bladed metal propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed:95 mph (153 km/h, 83 kn)
  • Cruise speed:80 mph (130 km/h, 70 kn) </li.
  • Landing speed:39 mph (34 kn; 63 km/h)
  • Range:320 mi (510 km, 280 nmi)
  • Service ceiling:13,000 ft (4,000 m) service
  • Rate of climb:800 ft/min (4.1 m/s) initial
  • Wing loading:6.96 lb/sq ft (34.0 kg/m2)
  • Power/mass:18.756 lb/hp (11.409 kg/kW)

See also

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Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

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Notes
  1. ^abcdef"C2-60, -165",Aerofiles
  2. ^abcdThe Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft,p.2955
  3. ^Taylor 1989, p.835
  4. ^ab"Spartan's Aircraft Manufacturing History"
  5. ^abcd"The Spartan Aircraft Company"
  6. ^"Exhibits", Tulsa Air and Space Museum
  7. ^"Aircraft", Golden Wings Flying Museum
  8. ^Grey, C.G., ed. (1931).Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1931.London: Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd. p. 316c.
Bibliography