The Flickr Spad Image Generatr

exposition St Michel sur Orge 2025 - Yann Prieux

0309-914-24

SPAD XIII C.1

In 1916 a new generation of German fighters threatened to win air superiority over the Western Front. The French aircraft company, Société pour l'Aviation et ses Dérives (SPAD), responded by developing a replacement for its highly successful SPAD VII. Essentially a larger version of the SPAD VII with a more powerful V-8 Hispano-Suiza engine, the prototype SPAD XIII C.1 ["C" designating Chasseur (fighter) and "1" indicating one aircrew] first flew in March 1917.

With its 220-hp engine, the SPAD XIII reached a top speed of 135 mph -- about 10 mph faster than the new German fighters. It carried two .303-cal. Vickers machine guns mounted above the engine. Each gun had 400 rounds of ammunition, and the pilot could fire the guns separately or together. Technical problems hampered production until late 1917, but nine different companies built a total of 8,472 SPAD XIIIs by the time production ceased in 1919.

Since the United States entered World War I without a combat-ready fighter of its own, the U.S. Army Air Service obtained fighters built by the Allies. After the Nieuport 28 proved unsuitable, the Air Service adopted the SPAD XIII as its primary fighter. By the war's end, the Air Service had accepted 893 SPAD XIIIs from the French, and these aircraft equipped 15 of the 16 American fighter squadrons. Today, Americans are most familiar with the SPAD XIII because many of our aces -- like Rickenbacker and Luke -- flew them during WWI.

Built in October 1918 by the Kellner et ses Fils piano works outside of Paris, the museum's SPAD XIII (S/N 16594) did not see combat. Shipped to the United States with 434 other SPAD XIIIs after the Armistice, this aircraft went to San Diego, Calif., and a smaller, 150-hp Wright-Hispano engine replaced its Hispano-Suiza engine. The museum staff restored this SPAD XIII to its original configuration, including a 220-hp Hispano-Suiza engine. It is painted in the markings of America's highest scoring ace of WWI with 26 victories, Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker of the 94th Pursuit Squadron.

TECHNICAL NOTES:
Wingspan: 26 ft. 11 in.
Length: 20 ft. 8 in.
Height: 7 ft. 11 in.
Weight: 1,815 lbs. (gross)

Douglas A-1 Skyraider at the 2024 TBM Avengers Reunion and airshow at the Illinois Valley Regional Airport in Peru, IL.

Exposition maquettes de St Michel sur Orge 2025

20/02/25

American Air Museum

20/02/25

American Air Museum

0309-878-24

SPAD XIII C.1

In 1916 a new generation of German fighters threatened to win air superiority over the Western Front. The French aircraft company, Société pour l'Aviation et ses Dérives (SPAD), responded by developing a replacement for its highly successful SPAD VII. Essentially a larger version of the SPAD VII with a more powerful V-8 Hispano-Suiza engine, the prototype SPAD XIII C.1 ["C" designating Chasseur (fighter) and "1" indicating one aircrew] first flew in March 1917.

With its 220-hp engine, the SPAD XIII reached a top speed of 135 mph -- about 10 mph faster than the new German fighters. It carried two .303-cal. Vickers machine guns mounted above the engine. Each gun had 400 rounds of ammunition, and the pilot could fire the guns separately or together. Technical problems hampered production until late 1917, but nine different companies built a total of 8,472 SPAD XIIIs by the time production ceased in 1919.

Since the United States entered World War I without a combat-ready fighter of its own, the U.S. Army Air Service obtained fighters built by the Allies. After the Nieuport 28 proved unsuitable, the Air Service adopted the SPAD XIII as its primary fighter. By the war's end, the Air Service had accepted 893 SPAD XIIIs from the French, and these aircraft equipped 15 of the 16 American fighter squadrons. Today, Americans are most familiar with the SPAD XIII because many of our aces -- like Rickenbacker and Luke -- flew them during WWI.

Built in October 1918 by the Kellner et ses Fils piano works outside of Paris, the museum's SPAD XIII (S/N 16594) did not see combat. Shipped to the United States with 434 other SPAD XIIIs after the Armistice, this aircraft went to San Diego, Calif., and a smaller, 150-hp Wright-Hispano engine replaced its Hispano-Suiza engine. The museum staff restored this SPAD XIII to its original configuration, including a 220-hp Hispano-Suiza engine. It is painted in the markings of America's highest scoring ace of WWI with 26 victories, Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker of the 94th Pursuit Squadron.

TECHNICAL NOTES:
Wingspan: 26 ft. 11 in.
Length: 20 ft. 8 in.
Height: 7 ft. 11 in.
Weight: 1,815 lbs. (gross)

Spad XIII - Pratica di Mare (Italy) 2023

Il famoso apparecchio pilotato dall'asso italiano Francesco Baracca

USAF Museum Dayton Ohio

USAF Museum Dayton Ohio

0309-890-24

SPAD XIII C.1

In 1916 a new generation of German fighters threatened to win air superiority over the Western Front. The French aircraft company, Société pour l'Aviation et ses Dérives (SPAD), responded by developing a replacement for its highly successful SPAD VII. Essentially a larger version of the SPAD VII with a more powerful V-8 Hispano-Suiza engine, the prototype SPAD XIII C.1 ["C" designating Chasseur (fighter) and "1" indicating one aircrew] first flew in March 1917.

With its 220-hp engine, the SPAD XIII reached a top speed of 135 mph -- about 10 mph faster than the new German fighters. It carried two .303-cal. Vickers machine guns mounted above the engine. Each gun had 400 rounds of ammunition, and the pilot could fire the guns separately or together. Technical problems hampered production until late 1917, but nine different companies built a total of 8,472 SPAD XIIIs by the time production ceased in 1919.

Since the United States entered World War I without a combat-ready fighter of its own, the U.S. Army Air Service obtained fighters built by the Allies. After the Nieuport 28 proved unsuitable, the Air Service adopted the SPAD XIII as its primary fighter. By the war's end, the Air Service had accepted 893 SPAD XIIIs from the French, and these aircraft equipped 15 of the 16 American fighter squadrons. Today, Americans are most familiar with the SPAD XIII because many of our aces -- like Rickenbacker and Luke -- flew them during WWI.

Built in October 1918 by the Kellner et ses Fils piano works outside of Paris, the museum's SPAD XIII (S/N 16594) did not see combat. Shipped to the United States with 434 other SPAD XIIIs after the Armistice, this aircraft went to San Diego, Calif., and a smaller, 150-hp Wright-Hispano engine replaced its Hispano-Suiza engine. The museum staff restored this SPAD XIII to its original configuration, including a 220-hp Hispano-Suiza engine. It is painted in the markings of America's highest scoring ace of WWI with 26 victories, Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker of the 94th Pursuit Squadron.

TECHNICAL NOTES:
Wingspan: 26 ft. 11 in.
Length: 20 ft. 8 in.
Height: 7 ft. 11 in.
Weight: 1,815 lbs. (gross)

The War Museum "Bảo tàng Chứng tích chiến tranh" in Ho Chi Minh City is a major historical site showcasing the impact of the Vietnam War, with over 1,500 artifacts and photographs displayed across eight themed exhibitions. The museum features exhibits on war crimes, the global anti-war movement, and the effects of Agent Orange, along with an outdoor section displaying military vehicles.

The Douglas A-1 Skyraider was a rugged and heavily armed propeller-driven attack aircraft used by the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. It was primarily deployed in the “Sandy” role for search and rescue missions, providing close air support and covering downed pilots until they could be extracted. Despite being a World War II-era design, the Skyraider remained effective due to its ability to carry a large payload, loiter for extended periods, and withstand significant battle damage .

A friend is visiting Vietnam at the moment - uploaded with permission.

Gamin j'utilisais souvent ce terme pour désigner mon vélo , sans en connaitre l'historique que voici : Un "SPAD" c'est entre autre la marque de l'avion sur lequel Guynemer a obtenu le plus grand nombre de victoires , pendant la première guerre mondiale. A l'origine de ce nom Mr Déperdussin qui créé la "Sté. Provisoire des Avions Déperdussin" qui construira le premier avion à dépasser les 200km/h (régulièrement d'ailleurs). En 1913, Déperdussin magouille une fois de trop et sa boite est reprise (avec l'ingénieur Béchereau, "papa technique" des SPAD) par Blériot, le nom devient alors : "Sté. Pour l'Aviation et ses Dérivés". La grande guerre éclate et les SPAD SA1 à SA3 à hélice au millieu du poste de pilotage (commplètement dingue :D)laissent vite place au S.VII puis à son dérivé musclé le S.XIII. C'est surtout celui-ci qui promu par la propagande (nationaliste) de l'époque deviendra le symbole de l'aviation jusqu'à en devenir un nom commun (comme le mirage dans les années 60). Juste après la guerre un nouveau jouet arrive sur le marché (pour les gens aisés au début) : le vélo ! Pour lui associer une image d'engin de vitesse, on l'appelle "SPAD".
Soixante dix ans plus tard, ce nom revient en force pour décrire un vélo différent de celui de ....papy... :D

Spa 13 C1 test Villacoublay, 13 September 1917
Hispano-Suiza 8 BEc high-compression engine 235 hp @ 2150 rpm
Propeller Ratmanoff série 43
A photo of Service Technique de l'Aéronautique document kindly provided by Paolo Miana

This Skyraider of the Skyknights of VA-95 was photographed ca. 1958. At that time, the squadron was part of Carrier Air Group 9 (CAG-9) which was embarked aboard the USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14).

Note that CAG-9 later became CVW-9 and continued with the "NG" tail code. In addition, VA-95 also changed names and became the Green Lizards.

The photographer of this aircraft is unknown but it came from the collection of the late Jim Sullivan.