Blériot-SPAD S.33
Blériot-SPAD · France · first flew 1920 · airliner
The Blériot-SPAD S.33 was a French single-engine biplane airliner developed in the early 1920s for short-haul passenger service. It evolved from wartime SPAD fighter lineage into a practical civil transport.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.1 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-engine high-wing biplane airliner
- Open or enclosed cabin for 4-6 passengers
- Thick-section SPAD heritage wings
Recognisable as a compact single-engine biplane with a relatively deep fuselage for passenger accommodation and strong SPAD structural heritage in its wing design.
Specifications
- The Blériot-SPAD S.33 has a length of 9.1 m (30 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14 m (46 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 165 km/h (103 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 pilot, up to 6 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Introduced around 1920, the S.33 was operated by Compagnie des Messageries Aériennes and later Air Union on early European routes including the Paris–London service. It represented the transition from military surplus aircraft to purpose-built airliners in French aviation.
Variants
Several variants were produced including the S.34 and S.36 with different engine fits and cabin configurations; the family established Blériot-SPAD as a postwar commercial manufacturer.
Where you'll see it
The S.33 served French carriers on European routes through the early 1920s and was also exported to a small number of operators.
Related aircraft
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