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Willis Clinton Brown built aeroplane 1912, when he was 16; served US Air Service, and from 1923 flew Waco 7 and 9 as salesman around Tulsa, OK. Showed need for improved aircraft and in 1925 designed 3-seat biplane called Spartan (80-hp Le Rhône converted as static radial). Tested from 25 October 1926, so satisfactory Brown formed Mid-Continent Aircraft at Tulsa December 1926 to build replicas, most with Ryan-Siemens engine. Success attracted oil-tycoon W.G. Skelly, who with others bought company, later renaming it Spartan.

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