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Spad XIII |
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The fast and rugged
Spad XIII was among the most successful fighters of the First World War.
It was flown by some of the most famous air heroes of the war, such as
Guynemer, Fonck, Nungesser, Lufbery, Luke, and Rickenbacker.
The original Spad aircraft manufacturing
company was formed in 1910. The acronym Spad was derived from the
company's formal name, Société pour les Appareils Deperdussin. Spad
was taken over in 1914 by the famous aviation pioneer, Louis Blériot.
Herenamed the company Société pour l'Aviation et ses Dérives, thus
retaining the same acronym. Six versions were built before Spad
VII were entered French squadrons in 1916. More than
five-and-a-half thousand Spad VIIs were built.
The Spad XIII was a larger, improved version of
the earlier Spad VII. The prototype Spad XIII made its first
flight on April 4, 1917, and by the end of the following month,
production aircraft were arriving at the front. The aircraft was
particularly noted for its robust construction and its ability to dive
at high speed, features that made it one of the best dog-fighting
airplanes of the war. The Spad XIII was produced and deployed in great
numbers. By the end of the war, 8,472 had been built. Almost every
French fighter squadron was equipped with them by the end of the war, as
well as the American units that were part of the American Expeditionary
Force. Spads were also used by the British, the Italians, the Belgians,
and the Russians.
Only four Spad XIIIs survive. After
the war, Major Robert L. Walsh, a member of General William Mitchell's
staff, proposed the idea of sending two Spad XIIIs to the United States,
one of which was Smith IV. The airplane toured the country as part of
Liberty Bond drives. It was given to the Smithsonian Institution
by the U.S. Air Service in December 1919. In 1984-1986, it
was fully restored and placed back on public display in the museum's
First World War aviation gallery. |
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Spad
XIII - Hat in Ring
Premier Series. 1/23rd scale. 16.5" wingspan x 13.5" length.
No. ACA9D-AR. Only $219.95 |
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Spad
XIII - Crane No. 2
Premier series. Same info as above.|
No. ACA90-CR Only $219.95 |
Spad
XIII - No. 20
Premier Series. Same info as above.
No. ACA90-BR. Only $219.95 |
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Spad
XIII - Rooster No. 1
Premier
series. Same info as above.
No. ACA90-R1 Only $219.95 |
Spad
XIII- Rooster No.2
Premier series. Same info as above.
No. ACA90-R2 Only $219.95 |
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Spad
XIII - Stars & Stripes -
NEW
New model in our Premier Series. 1/23rd scale. 16.5" wingspan x 13.5" length.
No. ACA9D-C2. Only $229.95 |
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Spad
XIII - Stars & Stripes
Deluxe Series. 1/20th scale.
15.75" wingspan x 12.25" long
No. ACA9D-DX. Only $179.95 |
Spad
XIII - Camo green
Standard Series. 1/24th scale.
13.35" wingspan x 10.15" long.
ACA9D-ST. Only $139.95 |
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