SPAD S.VII
Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés · France · first flew 1916 · fighter
The SPAD S.VII was one of the most capable Allied fighter aircraft of World War I, renowned for its strength, speed, and diving ability. It was powered by the liquid-cooled Hispano-Suiza 8A engine.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.08 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- WWI French single-seat biplane fighter with Hispano-Suiza engine
- Robust two-bay wings with equal span
- Single Vickers machine gun firing through propeller arc
A compact, equal-span two-bay biplane with a rounded nose housing a liquid-cooled inline engine; distinguished from rotary-engined contemporaries by its more symmetrical cowling and greater robustness.
Specifications
- The SPAD S.VII has a length of 6.08 m (20 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 7.82 m (26 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 193 km/h (120 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Introduced in 1916, the S.VII quickly earned a strong reputation on the Western Front, equipping French, British, Italian, Russian, Belgian, and American squadrons. Its solid construction made it a favourite of many aces, including Georges Guynemer. Over 5,000 were built, making it one of the most produced fighters of the war.
Variants
The S.VII was developed into the more powerful S.XIII, which carried two machine guns and became even more widely used. Several engine sub-variants of the S.VII itself were produced.
Where you'll see it
Widely used by the French Aéronautique Militaire and exported to numerous Allied nations; examples also served post-war with air arms across Europe and South America.
Related aircraft
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