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| STANDARD DATA: Seats 3. Gross wt. 2,150. Empty wt. 1,310. Engine 120-hp Walter. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 105. Cruise mph 92. Landing mph 45. Initial climb rate 500. |
The Spartan C-3 was one of the three-seat open cockpit biplanes that were highly popular in the Midwest during the late 1920s. The tandem cockpits had accommodations for one pilot in the rear and two sideby-side passengers sitting in the front. The powerplant was a Walter nine-cylinder radial. The Spartan’s wings were of equal-span design and utilized hollow box spars with spruce flanges and two-ply diagonal mahogany planked sides. The main fuel tanks were housed in the top wings. The suspension was cushioned by a rubber shock-absorber cord. A later refinement of the C-3 called for either the 150-hp Wright Whirlwind J-6 or the 170-hp Curtiss Challenger. Improvements included increased cockpit protection, zippered inspection openings in the tail, the lower wings faired into the fuselage, a booster magneto, and a Hamilton Standard metal airscrew. The Challenger engine boosted the Spartan’s maximum speed to 115 mph and climb rate to 900 fpm.
