Trying to find a Spartan C-4

tulsaboy · **Posted:** Fri Mar 13, 2009 8:42 pm

Hello all!

This is going to be a really, really long shot...

I would like to find a Spartan C-4 (or C-5 for that matter). They were essntially the same aircraft, just for the C-5 the baggage compartment was removed in favor of one additional seat (for a total of 5). They were high-wing monoplanes, with steel tube structures and fabric coverings. There were only a handful made. One C-4 was retained by Spartan, the others were sold. At least one made its way to Mexico. A C-5 was exported and sold to the Chinese Nationalists. I'm sure that one is long gone.

If anyone has any leads, I'd be appreciative. Even a total wreck, barn find, etc.

Thanks!

kevin

Oh yeah, a photo...or two...

wacoykc · **Posted:** Fri Mar 13, 2009 10:47 pm

I wish you luck with that one.

tulsaboy · **Posted:** Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:16 pm

Yeah, not too promising of a search huh? I guess that you never find, though, if you're not looking. So count this as me announcing that I'm "looking."

kevin
the hopeful

marine air · **Posted:** Mon Mar 30, 2009 7:46 am

My suggestion would be to contact the Antique Airplane Association first and the EAA second They have info on Type Clubs. There is probably the remains of one in someone's barn as those old guys have been hording old airplanes and parts for years.
Maybe make contact with all the current Spartan owners and maybe a couple of them will be "Spartan fanatics and actually have deep knowledge of their manufacturer.
I would also start going to the antique airplane conventions in Blakesburg, Iowa and elsewhere. Eventually you will run into the "guy that knows the guy."
There's got to be at least one of them left!

tulsaboy · **Posted:** Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:57 am

Thanks, Marine Air!

To the best of my knowledge, EAA hasn't a clue about the type. I talked with their library/research folks, and they said they didn't have any information. They looked to see if the plans were archived there, and no dice. Some of the long-time EAA'ers that I've talked to have just given me blank stares or laughed when I've mentioned the type. Quite a few of the Spartan owners know that I've been looking, but haven't had any leads for me either. It's possible that someone does have one sitting somewhere, but I think it's possible that they either don't know what they have (just a stripped tube frame without any data plates would look like "just another airplane" to most folks) or they don't care. And the internet is great, but it's not the end-all be-all I've discovered.

I will follow up with the antique aircraft folks, though. Thanks!

kevin

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Trying to find a Spartan C-4

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