Spartan Arrow

I flew in the aircraft illustrated in 1954 from Croydon. Many years later (about 1999) I was at at an air show at Redhill and there was the same airplane. The owner has passed the plane on to his son and I believe it is still operational from Redhill.

reply

Successor to the Simmons Spartan there were 15 Arrows built including one to test the Napier Javelin engine. Production was ended after two prototypes and thirteen production models were completed in 1933.

Power plant De Havilland Gypsy II rated at 120 h.p.
Span 30'7" Length 25' Height 9'6" Empty Weight 965 lb Maximum Take Off Weight 1,750 lb
Maximum Speed 106 mph Range 432 miles

reply

my dad, an ex fighter pilot, was a part owner of this Spartan arrow. he took me up a few times, in the mid 50s flying out of Denham. I recall a flying show at the aerodrome attended by Douglas Barder and also a flying display with a young lady wing climbing and stripping her gear off...the plane had two cockpits with the passenger sitting in the front, communicating with the pilot through an intercom linked to the flying helmet. my dad told me we were over harefield but I thought he said 'you can take over now' and so grabbed the controls. I heard a panicky voice asking 'have you got it?' and so, at his request, let go of the joystick.

reply

THe aircraft in the photo is still flying to this day.

reply

This aircraft was operated by the Spartan Flying Group at Denham airfield in the late 50s, early 60s

reply