The sole airframe produced was designated serial number 8W-1 and was registered as NX17612[2] The Spartan 8W Zeus was a conventional low-wing monoplane of metal construction, with a semi-monocoque fuselage and a cantilever wing.

The upper half of the fuselage was redesigned from a 4-5 place enclosed cabin into a tandem-seat, glazed cockpit with sliding canopies.

After production of the prototype, the airplane was marketed, without success, to the United States Army Air Corps.

[4] The final role of the prototype Zeus was as training tool for students at the Spartan School of Aeronautics.

[6] A concept model was introduced in an information brochure that portrayed a combat version of the 8W Zeus, with armament.