[2] Through a series of acquisitions, J. Paul Getty took over ownership of the Spartan Aircraft Company in 1935, and directed its fortunes from that point to 1968.

[3] The interior of the 7W is spacious and features 18 in (46 cm) of slide-back seat room for front-seat passengers, armrests, ash trays, dome lighting, deep cushions, cabin heaters, ventilators, soundproofing, large windows, and interior access to the 100 lb (45 kg) capacity luggage compartment.

The photo enhancements incorporated two forward-firing .30 calibre machine guns mounted on the port side near the firewall and firing through the propeller arc through a synchronized mechanism.

A further enhancement showed a gunner's station at a dorsal hatch on the roof with a windscreen and machine gun fitted.

In 1942, a total of 16 7W Executives were impressed into military service with the United States Army Air Forces.

King Ghazi's Spartan Executive was designated "Eagle of Iraq" and was outfitted with his coat of arms, an extra-luxurious interior and customized features.

[9] Although not an owner, aircraft designer and aviator Howard Hughes is often associated with the Spartan Executive due to his involvement with America's War Bond Campaign.

Three other examples were purchased by the United Kingdom Government in December 1940 and were used to provide refresher training to American pilots who would ultimately go on to serve in the RAF.

When used for that purpose at Polaris Flight Academy in Glendale, CA, they continued to carry their U.S. civilian registration numbers of NC17604, NC17617 and NC17630.

On January 1, 1943, these three Spartans officially became Royal Air Force aircraft and were given RAF serial numbers KD100, KD101 and KD102.