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From: Miloch <Miloch_member@newsguy.com>
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Subject: SPAD S.XIII (2nd posting for this type)
Date: 14 Nov 2016 18:31:07 -0800
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPAD_S.XIII
The SPAD S.XIII was a French biplane fighter aircraft of World War I, developed
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.
The SPAD S.VII was a single-seat fighter aircraft powered by a 150 horsepower
(110 kW) Hispano-Suiza 8A water cooled V-8 engine and armed with a single
synchronised Vickers machine gun. It demonstrated excellent performance for the
By early 1917, however it had been surpassed by the latest German fighters,
leading French flying ace Georges Guynemer to lobby for an improved version
for the Halberstadt ... More speed is needed." An initial solution was to
increase the compression ratio of the Hispano-Suiza engine, increasing its power
to 180 hp (130 kW), which gave significantly improved performance, allowing the
SPAD S.VII to remain competitive, but Hispano-Suiza were developing a geared
version of the 8A engine, which would produce greater power, and this engine was
armed with a 37 mm cannon firing through the propeller shaft. This saw limited
use, but was followed into production by the more conventionally armed S.XIII.
The S.XIII was of similar layout to the S.VII, i.e. a single engined biplane of
mainly wooden construction with fabric covering, but was generally larger and
heavier. Armament was two Vickers machine guns with 400 rounds per gun replacing
the single gun of the earlier aircraft. Powerplant was a geared Hispano-Suiza
engine, at first a 8Ba giving 200 hp (150 kW), but in later aircraft a
high-compression 8Bc or 8Be delivering 220 hp (160 kW). The sum of these
improvements was a notable improvement in flight and combat performance. It was
faster than its main contemporaries, the British Sopwith Camel and the German
Fokker D.VII, and its relatively higher power-to-weight ratio gave it a good
rate of climb. The SPAD was renowned for its speed and strength in a dive,
although the maneuverability of the type was relatively poor and the aircraft
was difficult to control at low speeds: needing to be landed with power on,
unlike contemporary fighters like the Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5 which could be
landed with power off.
While giving the Spad XIII outstanding performance, the geared engines proved to
be unreliable, suffering from poor lubrication and vibration. This significantly
and severely affected serviceability, with it being stated in November 1917,
that the Spad S.XIII was "incapable of giving dependable service". Even in April
1918, an official report stated that two-thirds of the 200 hp SPADs were out of
use at any one time due to engine problems. At least one US observer believed at
the time that the French were giving the US SPAD XIII squadrons lower quality
engines from their least favored manufacturers while keeping the best for
themselves. The problems with the engine were considered a worthy price to pay
for the improved performance, however, and as time went by, improved build
quality and changes to the engine design led to increased serviceability.
Role
biplane fighter
National origin
France
Manufacturer
SPAD
Designer
First flight
4 April 1917
Primary users
Royal Flying Corps (Royal Air Force from April 1918)
US Army Air Service
Number built
8472
The S.XIII was flown by famous French fighter pilots such as Georges Guynemer
and Rene Fonck, and also by Italian ace Francesco Baracca. Aces of the United
States Army Air Service who flew the Spad XIII include Eddie Rickenbacker
(America's leading World War I ace with 26 confirmed victories) and Frank Luke
(18 victories).
Specifications (SPAD S.XIII)
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 6.25 m (20 ft 6 in)
Wingspan: 8.25 m (27 ft 1 in)
Height: 2.60 m (8 ft 6.5 in)
Empty weight: 566 kg (1,245 lb)
Loaded weight: 856 kg (1,888 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 845 kg (1,863 lb)
Performance
Maximum speed: 218 km/h (117 knots, 135 mph) at 2,000 m (6,560 ft)
Range: 276 km (171 mi) ()
Service ceiling: 6,650 m (21,815 ft)
Rate of climb: 2 m/s (384 ft/min)
Armament
Guns: 2 x .303-cal. (7.7 mm) Vickers machine guns or 2 x Marlin M1917 or M1918
machine guns
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