SPAD S. XIII
Model Airplane News Cover Art for May, 1954
by Jo Kotula
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The SPAD S.XIII was a French biplane fighter aircraft of World War I, developed by Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés (SPAD - might be translated as "Airplanes'R'Us") from the earlier highly successful SPAD S.VII. It was one of the most capable fighters of the war, and one of the most-produced, with 8,472 built and orders for around 10,000 more cancelled at the Armistice.

     

SPAD S. XIII
Georges Guynemer with his SPAD S. XIII
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The S.VII had entered service in September of 1916, but was surpassed by the latest German fighters in only a few months. French flying ace, Georges Guynemer began lobbying for an improved version, calling for more speed and more firepower. SPAD designer Louis Béchereau first began to explore arming an airplane with a 37 mm cannon, and produced the S.XII. However, the wight associated with the cannon and engineering requirements needed to make it work resulted in a slower plane that was hard to fly. The only pilot able to master the S. XII did achieve seven victories. It appeared that speed was the most important factor and thuis was botn the S.XIII.

The S.XIII differed from its predecessor by incorporating a number of aerodynamic and other refinements, including larger wings and rudder, a more powerful engine and a second gun. It was faster than its main contemporaries, the British Sopwith Camel and the German Fokker D.VII, and was renowned for its ruggedness and strength in a dive. It had poor maneuvrability, especially at low speeds. It was a difficult aircraft for novice pilots to land safely.

Here is a video of a restored SPAD S. XIII in action:

Jo Kotula revisited this airplane in the "Box Art" for the Aurora kit for the SPAD S. XIII.

Aurora Plastic Model of the SPAD S. XIII
Artwork by Jo Kotula
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Click Here for more information about the SPAD S. XIII.

This was a popular Cleveland kit because Eddie Rickenbacker was a war hero and a colorful public figure. (You'll note that Rickenbacker's name is on the box.

  

Cleveland Model

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You can buy the plans and patterns that will enable you to make this model right now. Click Here to go to the exact location on the Cleveland Website to get them.

The SPAD S.XIII at the Cleveland Site
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