https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPAD_S.VII
The SPAD S.VII was the first of a series of highly successful biplane fighter
First World War. Like its successors, the S.VII was renowned as a sturdy and
rugged aircraft with good climbing and diving characteristics. It was also a
stable gun platform, although pilots used to the more manoeuvrable Nieuport
fighters found it heavy on the controls. It was flown by a number of the famous
aces, such as France's Georges Guynemer, Italy's Francesco Baracca and
Australia's Alexander Pentland.
SPAD test pilot Bequet flew the SPAD V for the first time in April 1916. Flight
testing revealed excellent maximum speed (192 km/h, 119 mph) and climb rate (4.5
min to 2,000 m or 6,500 ft). The airframe's sound construction also enabled
remarkable diving performance. In comparison, the Nieuport sesquiplane fighters
that equipped a large part of the fighter units could occasionally shed their
lower wings in a steep power-on dive, a result of the single-spar lower wing
design. The combination of high speed and good diving ability promised to give
Allied pilots the initiative to engage or leave combat. If the new fighter was a
rugged and stable shooting platform, some pilots regretted its lack of
maneuverability, especially when compared to lighter types such as the Nieuport
17.
Early production aircraft suffered from a number of defects which took some time
to solve and limited the delivery rate to units. While a few SPADs arrived to
frontline units as early as August 1916, large numbers only began to appear in
the first months of 1917. In hot weather, the engine was prone to overheating.
In cold weather, the engine would not warm up. Various field modifications were
used to counter the problem, including cutting extra holes in the metal sheeting
to provide more air flow over the engine. On the production lines, the cowling
opening was first enlarged and eventually redesigned with vertical shutters to
solve both problems. The engine mount also proved too weak and reinforcements
were designed to counter that. Early production aircraft also had two ammunition
drums: one for normal rounds and the other for empty ones. This system was prone
to jamming and was only solved when Prideaux disintegrating ammo links were
introduced.
The first British-built S.VII was flown and tested in April 1917, and the first
aircraft was reported to have performance equal to that of French models. There
were however differences between the two types. The British were worried about
the light armament of the S.VII: most German fighters were now carrying two guns
and experiments were made to fit an extra machine gun on the S.VII. One aircraft
was fitted with a Lewis machine gun on the top wing and tested at Martlesham
Heath in May 1917, while front line units also made field modifications with
Foster mounts as used on the S.E.5. The resulting drop in performance was
considered too drastic for the installation to become standard, and most SPAD
S.VIIs continued to fly with a single Vickers.
Other distinguishing features of the British-built S.VIIs included a gun fairing
and a solid cowling access panel. The gun fairing partially covered the gun and
extended rearwards, replacing the windshield. This, however, seriously limited
pilot vision to the front and, although retained on training aircraft, it was
ordered removed on aircraft destined for front line units in France. The bulged
engine access panel located under the exhaust pipe on British models was made of
a solid sheet of metal, in place of the louvered panel fitted on French
production models. Some British SPADs were also fitted with small spinners on
the prop hub.
The total number of aircraft produced seems uncertain, sources varying from
3,825 to some 5,600 SPAD S.VIIs built in France, 220 in the United Kingdom and
approximately 100 in Russia.
Role
biplane fighter
Manufacturer
SPAD
Designer
First flight
May 1916
Primary users
Royal Flying Corps - Belgium - Italy
Number built
~6000
The introduction of the SPAD VII was not enough to change the balance of the air
war but it allowed both pilots and mechanics to familiarize themselves with the
new fighter. Many pilots found the SPAD lacked maneuverability and some even
returned to the nimbler Nieuports. New tactics based on speed were developed to
take advantage of the SPAD's power, and to compensate for its lack of
maneuverability. The aircraft's capacity to dive safely up to 400 km/h (249 mph)
permitted the pilot to break from combat when the situation demanded it.
With early problems solved and production shared between several manufacturers,
the SPAD VII was finally available in large numbers at the front in early 1917.
By mid 1917, some 500 were in front-line service, having largely replaced the
Nieuport. It gained a reputation for being stronger than its predecessors. Its
principal shortcoming was its one machine gun armament at a time when the
opposing Albatros D.III fighters were equipped with two.
The SPAD VII was gradually replaced by the improved SPAD XIII in front line
units but remained in use as a trainer aircraft with Aviation Militaire
throughout the war and it remained as the standard pilot certification test
aircraft until 1928.
Allied air services were also equipped with the new fighter. The Royal Flying
Corps was the first foreign service to receive the SPAD VII, although only two
squadrons (19 and 23 Squadrons) used it on the Western Front. In addition,
fighter schools in the United-Kingdom and 30 Squadron in Mesopotamia also
received SPADs. British-built SPADs were generally used in the training units
and in the Middle East, while fighting units in France used superior
French-built models. The SPAD VII was replaced by the Sopwith Dolphin in 19
last squadron to use S.VIIs in France).
Russia received a batch of 43 in spring 1917 which were supplemented by
approximately 100 SPAD VII manufactured by the Dux factory under license.
Another early user of the SPAD VII was Germany. Several were captured intact and
were reportedly used both in combat and for training. Rudolph Windisch of Jasta
66 flew a SPAD VII in combat with German markings although it is not known if
any aerial victories were achieved.
When the United States entered the war in 1917, an order for 189 SPAD VIIs was
placed for the United States Army Air Service of the American Expeditionary
Force. The first aircraft were delivered in December 1917. Most were used as
advanced trainers to prepare the American pilots for the SPAD XIII.
After the war, surplus SPAD VIIs were used into the late 1920s by numerous
countries, including Brazil, Czechoslovakia, Finland, Greece, Japan, the
Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Siam, the United States and
Yugoslavia.
Specifications (S.VII)
General characteristics
Crew: One
Length: 6.08 m (19 ft 11 in)
Wingspan: 7.81 m (25 ft 8 in)
Height: 2.20 m (7 ft 2 in)
Empty weight: 510 kg (1,124 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 740 kg (1,632 lb)
Performance
Maximum speed: 192 km/h (119 mph)
Range: 360 km (225 mi)
Service ceiling: 5,335 m (17,500 ft)
Time to altitude: 4.5 min to 2,000 m (6,560 ft)
Armament
1 x .303-cal. Vickers machine gun
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