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| SPAD
S.VII |
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Lt
S F Allabarton
No. 19 Sqn RFC
Source: via LA Rogers
Image: © R. N. Pearson |
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| The SPAD was one of the strongest
aeroplanes of the Great War and could
be dived without fear. Its lack of dihedral
made it more sensitive and difficult
to fly than many British equivalents,
such as the Pup and S.E. 5, and it probably
had less inherent stability than any
contemporary scout, friendly or enemy.
In a dogfight, the SPAD could not be
turned in so small a space as the Nieuport,
for example, and the large bottom wing
handicapped the downwards view. The
absence of these typically Nieuport
qualities was, however, more than adequately
compensated for by an improved rate
of climb, better ceiling and a higher
top speed. The SPAD VII was the first
of the series of SPAD single-seaters
to go into service and was first flown
in July, 1916 and by the autumn production
models were appearing at the Front.
The famous "Stork" Group being
the first to receive the new scout.
SPADs were also ordered by the R.N.A.S.
but through a series of agreements were
exchanged for Sopwith Triplanes and
were sent to the R.F.C. |
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| SPECIFICATIONS |
| Country: |
France |
| Manufacturer: |
Société Anonyme
Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérives |
| Type: |
Fighter |
| First
Service: |
Summer of 1916 |
| Number
Built: |
3,825 |
| Engine(s): |
Hispano-Suiza 8A, V-8, 150
hp |
| Wing Span: |
25 ft 7¾ in |
| Length: |
20 ft 2 in |
| Height: |
7 ft 6.5 in |
| Empty
Weight: |
1,102 lb |
| Gross
Weight: |
1632 lb |
| Max Speed: |
119 mph |
| Ceiling: |
17,500 ft |
| Endurance: |
1.5 hours |
| Crew: |
1 |
| Armament: |
1 Vickers .303 machine gun |
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