Spartan Executive
The Spartan Executive Model 7W was the most popular and well-known aircraft produced by the Spartan Aircraft Company during the late 1930s and early 1940s. Designed for a wealthy clientele, the Model 7W was produced with a number of trend-setting features, gaining considerable attention from the world's wealthiest individuals.
 Designed for comfort, the interior of the 7W was large and spacious featuring 18 inches of slide-back seat room for front-seat passengers, arm rests, ash trays, dome lighting, deep cushions, cabin heaters, ventilators, extensive soundproofing, large windows, and interior access to the 100lb-capacity luggage compartment. Built during the Great Depression, the Executive 7W was the brainchild of company-founder William G. Skelly of Skelly Oil who desired a fast, comfortable aircraft to support his tastes and those of his rich oil-executive colleagues. Unlike many pre-World War II aircraft, the Spartan Executive 7W was popular enough to see design replications continue well into the post-World War II period of aviation.
Especially remarkable was the aircraft's popularity given the low production number built — a mere 34. Notable owners of Executive 7Ws included aircraft designer and aviator Howard Hughes, J. Paul Getty, and King Ghazi of Iraq. King Ghazi's Spartan Executive was designated "Eagle of Iraq" and was specially outfitted with his Coat of Arms, an extra-luxurious interior, and many additional customized features.
Sam Marini's Spartan Executive will be appearing at the Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show, April 28-29 at Half Moon Bay Airport.
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GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Crew: one, pilot
Capacity: 3 or 4 passengers
Length: 26 ft 10 in (8.18 m)
Wingspan: 39 ft 0 in (11.89 m)
Height: 8 ft 0 in (2.44 m)
Wing area: 250 ft² (23.23 m²)
Empty weight: 3,400 lb (1,545 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 4,400 lb (1,996 kg)
Powerplant: 1× Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN3 9-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 450 hp (336 kW)
Fuel capacity: 112 US Gal. (432.9 Liters)
PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 223 knots (257 mph, 414 km/h)
Cruise speed: 186 knots (215 mph, 346 km/h)
Range: 870 nm (1,000 miles, 1,610 km)
Service ceiling: 24,000 ft (7315 m)
Rate of climb: 1,080 ft/min (330 m/min)
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