Spartan C5

The Spartan C5 was a passenger and utility aircraft produced in small numbers in the United States in the early 1930s.^[1][2][3] It was a further, ultimately unsuccessful, attempt to market the Spartan C4, from which it was developed.^[2] Like its predecessor, the C5 was a high-wing, strut-braced monoplane with a fully enclosed cabin.^[1] Seating was increased to five places in place of the four seats of the C4.^[4] The C5 also incorporated a number of aerodynamic refinements, including a closely cowled engine and spatted mainwheels. The fuselage was constructed of welded steel tube and the wings from wood, and the whole aircraft covered in fabric.^[5] The empennage was also mostly constructed from wood, with metal ribs used in the fin and the whole assembly also covered in fabric.^[5]

Spartan was unable to sell the aircraft in any quantity, and eventually, built only four examples, including the prototype.^[1]

Variants

• C5-300 — version with Wright J-6 engine (3 built)^[1]
• C5-301 — version with Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior engine (1 built)^[1]

Specifications (C5-301)

Data from Aero Digest

General characteristics

• Crew: one pilot
• Capacity: four passengers
• Length: 32 ft 8 in (9.95 m)
• Wingspan: 50 ft 0 in (15.24 m)
• Height: 8 ft 11 in (2.72 m)
• Wing area: 299 ft² (27.8 m²)
• Empty weight: 2,632 lb (1,196 kg)
• Gross weight: 4,175 lb (1,898 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior, 320 hp (240 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 145 mph (232 km/h)
• Range: 648 miles (1,040 km)
• Service ceiling: 14,600 ft (4,450 m)
• Rate of climb: 940 ft/min (4.8 m/s)

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Spartan Aircraft Company.

Notes

Bibliography

• "Spartan Model C-5-301". Aero Digest. April 1935. 
• "C5-300, -301". Aerofiles. Retrieved 2011-02-27. 
• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing. p. 2955. 
• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 835.