Did You Know?

• The SPAD was the first successful warplane design effort by the Societe Pour L'Aviation et ses Derives (SPAD), which was headed by engineer Louis Bechereau.
• It featured a conventional biplane design, with a low-wing assembly complimented by a relatively low-set high-wing assembly for maximum stability, lift, and visibility.
• It is armed with a Vickers .303-caliber machine gun mounted in reach of the pilot, over the engine compartment, allowing him to clear ammunition jams if needed. The machine gun was synchronized to fire through the spinning wooden propeller blades.
• The SPAD VII proved highly robust in the field, as it was able to withstand a great deal of damage thanks to the fabric-over-wood construction.
• The SPAD VII's reach was such that it went on to serve with air elements across the world-from Europe and Russia, to the Far East and the Americas.
• The SPAD VII design proved very successful and was the aircraft of choice for several notable wartime aces including France's Georges Guynemer and America's Paul F. Baer.

Specifications