Claim: In 1931, Spartan Aircraft's operations were allied to the Saunders-Roe company in which Whitehall Securities had taken a majority shareholding; then in April 1935, Whitehall Securities and Jersey Airways (formed by Walter Thurgood on December 9, 1933) formed United Airways as a sister airline to Spartan Air Lines.
Evidence: In January 1931 Flight magazine revealed that Whitehall Securities had acquired a substantial holding in Saunders Roe Ltd. and arising out of this investment Spartan was effectively merged into Saunders Roe. Following financial difficulties and investment from Whitehall Securities Corporation Ltd Simmonds Aircraft Limited changed name in 1930 to Spartan Aircraft Limited. Merged with Saunders Roe, 1935