SPAD S.XX
SPAD · France · first flew 1918 · fighter
The SPAD S.XX was a French two-seat fighter and reconnaissance biplane developed in the closing stages of World War I, intended to combine the fighting capability of a single-seat fighter with a rear observer-gunner position. It first flew in 1918 but arrived too late to see significant combat.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.3 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Late-WWI French two-seat fighter-reconnaissance biplane
- Developed from the SPAD S.XVI family
- Arrived too late for significant WWI combat
A conventional equal-span two-seat biplane with the clean, tightly-cowled Hispano-Suiza engine typical of SPAD designs, distinguished from single-seat SPADs by the longer fuselage and rear cockpit.
Specifications
- The SPAD S.XX has a length of 7.3 m (24 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.72 m (32 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 217 km/h (135 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
A development of SPAD's successful single-seat fighter line adapted for two-seat operation, the S.XX was evaluated by the French Aviation Militaire and several allied nations. The Armistice ended further development before any substantial service use.
Variants
A small number of prototype and pre-series aircraft; exported in small numbers to Belgium and other Allied nations post-war.
Where you'll see it
Used in very small numbers by France and a few allied air services in the immediate post-WWI period; not a front-line type in quantity.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.