I have just uploaded (to my website) my new Simmonds Spartan book in PDF form.
This is 170 pages of data and pictures about the production and use of the
various Simmonds and Spartan aircraft (The Spartan, Spartan Three Seater,
Mailplane, Cruiser and Clipper).
There are many questions yet to be answered ….hopefully , in time, the
necessary information will surface somewhere.
Much of the information and photos are taken originally from my website and
it is the product of the contributions of dozens of people ….to whom I am
indebted.
Please download it, read it, critisize it, correct it , and if you can, add to
it.
Updated versions will happen when there is any new information.
Here is the download link(10mb PDF file.)
http://www.hampshireairfields.co.uk/simspar/simspar250413.pdf
Dave Fagan
By: flyernzl - 1st May 2013 at 21:53
If it was in the USA or New Zealand it would be restored and flying, I reckon.
Yup.
Roll of number eight wire and a couple of four by two’s and we’d have her back in the air by the end of the week.
By: Arabella-Cox - 30th April 2013 at 19:32
I doubt very much if there are any plans to restore it. Restoration at East Fortune is very much limited by cash and manpower, and even the Beaufighter is still lying in bits after 12 years.
They spent a lot of money bringing the wretched Concorde to Scotland to try and boost numbers, and this was deemed, despite having no Scottish connection whatsoever, to have greater importance.
Well, if it was the choice between restoring the Spartan Cruiser or putting Concorde on view, I know which I would choose………….. (clue: doesn’t have four engines !!!).
BTW Dave, your research is excellent……….
Planemike
By: longshot - 30th April 2013 at 14:35
If it was in the USA or New Zealand it would be restored and flying, I reckon.
I doubt very much if there are any plans to restore it. Restoration at East Fortune is very much limited by cash and manpower, and even the Beaufighter is still lying in bits after 12 years.
They spent a lot of money bringing the wretched Concorde to Scotland to try and boost numbers, and this was deemed, despite having no Scottish connection whatsoever, to have greater importance.
By: flyernzl - 30th April 2013 at 10:55
Looks to be a really good effort.
I have downloaded a copy, and will browse through at my leisure.
By: daveg4otu - 29th April 2013 at 09:04
Thanks all for the kind words – but really it is as much down to those who contributed photos, information and memories as it is to me.
By: wilkofife - 29th April 2013 at 06:16
I doubt very much if there are any plans to restore it. Restoration at East Fortune is very much limited by cash and manpower, and even the Beaufighter is still lying in bits after 12 years.
They spent a lot of money bringing the wretched Concorde to Scotland to try and boost numbers, and this was deemed, despite having no Scottish connection whatsoever, to have greater importance.
By: Avro Avian - 29th April 2013 at 05:05
Cool! I didn’t know a Spartan Cruiser had survived. What are the plans for the fuselage?
By: wilkofife - 28th April 2013 at 23:33
Dave, congratulations on a splendid effort – a valuable resource indeed. Many thanks for posting it for the benefit of the ranks of would-be aviation historians out there !
Have always been fascinated by Spartan ever since seeing the fuselage of the Cruiser at East Fortune – so tiny for an ‘airliner’…….
By: daveg4otu - 28th April 2013 at 11:30
For readers of this book , please don’t confuse the UK Spartan Aircraft with the US “Spartan Aircraft Company “of Tulsa OK who produced a number of aircraft including the Spartan Executive.
By: daveg4otu - 28th April 2013 at 11:27
Very good Dave!
I believe I have seen Spartan ZK-ABZ hanging from the roof in Geraldine and ZK-ARH at Omaka in New Zealand.
I take it that the Lt Col L A Strange mentioned early on in the book is the same fellow who wrote “Recollections on an Airman”, detailing his flying experiences in WWI; a recommended read.
Yes , I believe it is the same person. He was very active in what we now call General Aviation back in the 20s.
By: Fouga23 - 28th April 2013 at 10:30
Nice 🙂 I like the Spartan Cruiser.
By: Avro Avian - 28th April 2013 at 00:46
Very good Dave!
I believe I have seen Spartan ZK-ABZ hanging from the roof in Geraldine and ZK-ARH at Omaka in New Zealand.
I take it that the Lt Col L A Strange mentioned early on in the book is the same fellow who wrote “Recollections on an Airman”, detailing his flying experiences in WWI; a recommended read.
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April 27, 2013 at 7:30 pm