The Spartan Clipper was a British light touring aeroplane of the 1930s. It was a single-engine, two-seat, low-wing monoplane with a fixed tailwheel undercarriage.

Clipper
Role Civil touring aeroplane
Manufacturer Spartan Aircraft Limited
Designer H.E. Broadsmith
First flight 14 December 1932
Retired Destroyed 4 May 1942
Primary user Spartan Aircraft Limited
Produced 1932
Number built 1

Development edit

H.E. Broadsmith designed the Clipper as a two-seater; he employed the outer wings of the Monospar ST-4. Spartan Aircraft Limited built one example at their East Cowes works in 1932. The aeroplane was initially fitted with a 75-hp Pobjoy R motor. Registered G-ACEG it flew for the first time on 14 December 1932. After modification to undercarriage, cabin glazing and cowling, it received a Certificate of Airworthiness on 29 June 1933.[1]

In 1933 the Clipper was raced in the King's Cup Race.[1]

In 1938, it was re-engined with a Pobjoy Niagara III of 90-hp, after which it was used as a company hack until 4 May 1942, when it was destroyed in an air raid on Cowes.[1]

Specifications (Clipper) edit

Data from British Civil Aircraft since 1919, Volume 3,[2] Saunders and Saro aircraft since 1917[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 28 ft 2 in (8.59 m)
  • Wingspan: 34 ft 0 in (10.36 m)
  • Height: 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
  • Wing area: 150 sq ft (14 m2)
  • Empty weight: 770 lb (349 kg)
  • Gross weight: 1,300 lb (590 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 140 lb (64 kg) fuel and oil
  • Powerplant: 1 × Pobjoy R 7-cylinder air-cooled geared radial piston engine, 75 hp (56 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 110 mph (180 km/h, 96 kn)
  • Rate of climb: 800 ft/min (4.1 m/s)

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d London, Peter (1988). Saunders and Saro aircraft since 1917 (1st ed.). London: Putnam. pp. 337–339. ISBN 0851778143.
  2. ^ Jackson, A.J. (1974). British Civil Aircraft since 1919, Volume 3. Putnam.