Most vintage aircraft aficionados think of a Spartan Executive as a rare, high speed, art deco, executive transport. With a limited production of 34, an impressive cruise speed, a shiny all aluminum exterior and the fact most were initially acquired by oil executives, that’s a perfectly valid viewpoint. What many don’t realize, however, is the military role many Spartan Executives played during World War II. Twenty of the 34 built actually served during the war. Sixteen were impressed by the USAAF and four were procured by the RAF. All of the USAAF Spartans were operated within the US as light utility transports designated as UC-71’s. The RAF usage of Spartans is a bit more complicated and changed mid-way through the war. One RAF Spartan was originally operated in Europe, but was destroyed soon after arriving there. The remaining three began their wartime role in a training capacity within the US and then shifted to a light transport role for the RAF Ferry Command in Canada.
In addition to the military information about the Spartan Executives, this portion of the website also contains a detailed history of the Spartan 8W Zeus, a WW2 military advanced trainer and light attack aircraft as well as the Spartan NP-1, a WW2 open cockpit biplane built for the United States Navy.