Thought I'd share this fun, happy, positive WIX-er's tale for those of you who have an interest...
For those of you who have been following the story for a while, you're aware that the Spartan Aircraft Company in Tulsa, OK built the NP-1 naval trainer in 1941-1943. 201 examples were built, and the contract was terminated. The type served alongside the N3N and the Stearman, but was much less popular and was deemed redundant. They soldiered on through the first couple of years of WWII before being worn out/phased out. Most were destroyed in crashes or scrapped. A few were used as training airframes or were given to local colleges to do the same task. By the late 1960's, none were popularly known to exist, and none were flyable.
The Wright family in Oregon started searching for any surviving examples of the type to restore to flight. Parts of three airframes were located and purchased, and restoration commenced. Using the best componants of all three, one complete, flyable example was produced. Bu #3691 came off of Spartan's lines in Tulsa on November 17, 1941- just three weeks before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Leaving Tulsa for Navy service, she served at Detroit NRAB and at Grosse Ile before being struck off charge and given to Wooster College. She changed hands several times after that, before arriving in the hands of the Wright family. By 1984, the aircraft was ready for its first flight. For the first time in over 40 years, a Spartan NP-1 flew!
Since that time, WIX-er Jeff Wright has lovingly maintained and occasionally flown this sole survivor. When it was quietly offered for sale, the Tulsa Air and Space Museum jumped at the chance to bring this historic aircraft "home" to Tulsa. A purchase was arranged, and the aircraft was crated for shipping to Tulsa. In April 2008, the aircraft was in Tulsa for the first time in 67 years. Over the next couple of months, it was reassembled and prepared for flight status. The engine was run and the aircraft was taxiied but not flown. Last week, the NP-1 was rolled into TASM's hangar at Tulsa International Airport, and was put on exhibit.
The exhibit also owes thanks to another WIX-er, Rich Dann. His assistance in locating historic photos enabled TASM to create an interesting but accurate historic exhibit. The Navy Historical Center also provided archival photos, and the Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola provided research help that gave information on 3691's service history.
The aircraft sits in front of a curving wall that is 12' high on the left and 8' high on the right. A photo of NP-1 aircraft sitting on the ramp at Minneapolis NRAB stretches across the wall in mural style. (Thanks Rich for the photo!) The NP-1 sits in front of the wall, surrounded by stanchions connected to each other with hand-tied jute rope, simulating period Navy hardware. Three information panels sit in front of the ropes- one about Spartan's construction of the NP-1, one about the NP-1 in service, and one about 3691's history and restoration.
We are incredibly excited about this rare aircraft being preserved at TASM, where (I believe) it belongs- the city where it was constructed. There has been a debate about flying or not flying the aircraft, and what purpose that might serve. The aircraft was built for flight and is ready for flight, and a few flights may take place on a limited basis to secure moving footage of the aircraft running and in flight for future use. It will not fly regularly, however, as its status as a sole survivor of an already rare type merits long-term preservation in our climate-controlled, fully sprinkled building.
I hope the everyone enjoys the photos I have attached, which should shed some light on the aircraft's history and its present exhibit. Thanks to everyone who has helped in the process, including Jack for getting Jeff and I in touch. Hopefully, this is just the first in a series of exciting additions to the museum's collecton!
kevin
The prototype:
The first production NP-1
The photo we used as a backdrop:
The "Spirit of Spartan", a bonus NP-1 that was constructed by Spartan's employees on a Sunday with donated materials, and that was given to the Navy free of charge. Preparing to leave the factory.
3691 under restoration
And in flight!
3691, at TASM- by the way, that is a Spartan C-2 flying over the NP-1. The Skelly Oil sign in the background is intentional, as W.G. Skelly owned the Spartan Aircraft Company and secured the Navy contract for the construction of the NP-1.
Learning a little history...
Bad photos of the display boards:
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