SPAD S.XIII C.1
SPAD · France · first flew 1917 · fighter
The SPAD S.XIII was the most capable Allied fighter of the First World War, combining the rugged strength of the SPAD VII with twin-gun armament and a more powerful engine that gave it a decisive performance edge over German opponents in 1917–18.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | twin Vickers machine guns on the upper fuselage decking |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- sturdy unequal-span biplane with a compact square-cut planform
- Hispano-Suiza 8C geared engine with large frontal radiator
- twin Vickers machine guns on the upper fuselage decking
Compact, square-cut biplane with slightly unequal spans; the prominent frontal radiator, twin gun installation, and thick-section wings identify it from the earlier SPAD VII; the robust airframe has a more angular profile than the Nieuport scouts it complemented.
Specifications
- The SPAD S.XIII C.1 has a length of 6.3 m (21 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.2 m (27 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 224 km/h (139 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The S.XIII entered service in May 1917 and was produced in greater numbers than any other Allied fighter — approximately 8,472 were built. It equipped the crack escadrilles of France, the American Expeditionary Forces, and the Italian Regia Aeronautica, being the mount of aces including René Fonck and Eddie Rickenbacker.
Variants
The C.1 (Chasse, single-seat) designation was the standard designation; the type was offered with different Hispano-Suiza 8C, 8Ca, and 8Cb engine variants. A two-seat trainer derivative was also produced.
Where you'll see it
Standard French, American, and Italian fighter from mid-1917 to the armistice; postwar examples served with Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Japan well into the 1920s.
Related aircraft
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