This is also the story of a classic, beautifully made trailer with a short but interesting history.
The Spartan Aircraft Company was an American aircraft manufacturing company, headquartered near the airport in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Previously known as the Mid-Continental Aircraft Company, the company had been reorganized under the Spartan name in 1928 by oil baron William G. Skelly. The company was known for the luxurious Spartan Executive aircraft produced in the late 1930’s and early 1940;s – made prominent by owners such as Howard Hughes and King Ghazi of Iraq. It was luxurious and cruised at a remarkable 200 miles per hour.
J. Paul Getty acquired the company from Skelly in 1935. During World War ll the company made a military version of the Spartan Executive called the “Zues.” Spartan also built Navy trainers during the war, and airplane parts for other airplane manufacturers.
After World War ll, Getty ended aircraft production and converted the company to manufacturing trailers under the Spartan Manor brand. It was the “Cadillac” of trailers, using the unique fuselage design and aluminun skin that had been used in Spartan’s airplanes.
Competition from less expensive trailers caused the company to close down in 1962. Spartan later sold it’s name to the Spartan School of Aeronautics, which continues today near Tulsa’s airport.
