Time Period: World War I
Country of Origin: France
Type: Biplane, Fighter Aircraft
Manufacturer: SPAD
SPAD S.XIII Aircraft Overview
The SPAD S.XIII was a French biplane fighter aircraft developed during World War I as an improved version of the highly successful SPAD S.VII. It was designed by the same engineer, Louis Béchereau, and first flew in July 1917.
The SPAD S.XIII incorporated several improvements over the S.VII, including a more powerful Hispano-Suiza engine, a larger fuel tank for increased range, and improved aerodynamics. It was also armed with two Vickers machine guns, one firing through the propeller arc and one mounted on the upper wing to fire over the propeller arc.
The SPAD S.XIII had a top speed of 218 km/h (135 mph) and could climb to an altitude of 6,000 meters (19,685 feet) in just 16 minutes. It was highly maneuverable and proved to be an effective fighter aircraft, especially in the hands of skilled pilots.
The SPAD S.XIII was used by many Allied air forces during World War I, including the French, British, Italian, Belgian, and American air forces. It was credited with shooting down many enemy aircraft and played a significant role in achieving air superiority on the Western Front.
Overall, the SPAD S.XIII was a highly successful aircraft and remained in service with some air forces after the end of World War I. It was also widely exported and used in several conflicts in the years following the war.
SPAD S.XIII's Role During World War I
The SPAD S.XIII was known for its speed, diving ability, and strong construction. Unlike some other fighters of the time, it wasn’t very agile in turns, but it could out-run and out-climb many German aircraft. This made it ideal for hit-and-run attacks and high-speed dogfights.
The SPAD S.XIII helped turn the tide of air combat in the Allies’ favor during the final year of WWI. Its mix of speed, power, and durability made it a respected aircraft by both friend and foe. Even after the war, it remained in service with some countries for several years.
Who Flew The Spad XIII?
The SPAD S.XIII was flown by several Allied air forces, including:
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France: Used by top French aces like René Fonck, the second-highest scoring ace of WWI. Fonck claimed many of his 75 confirmed victories in a SPAD S.XIII.
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Italy: Italian ace Francesco Baracca, a national hero, also flew the SPAD S.XIII. His personal emblem—a prancing horse—later inspired the Ferrari logo.
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United States: American pilots like Eddie Rickenbacker, the top U.S. ace of the war, also flew SPAD S.XIIIs with the American Expeditionary Forces.
A Real Combat Example
In September 1918, Eddie Rickenbacker flew a SPAD S.XIII during a mission over France. He encountered seven German planes and managed to shoot one down, helping protect an Allied reconnaissance aircraft. This kind of bravery and skill showed how important the SPAD was in giving the Allies an edge in the air.
How Was It Used?
The SPAD S.XIII mainly served as a front-line fighter from 1917 onward. It was used for:
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Air superiority missions – Battling German fighters to control the skies.
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Escort duties – Protecting Allied bombers and reconnaissance planes.
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“Balloon busting” – Attacking German observation balloons, which were heavily defended but valuable targets.
Why Is The SPAD XIII Sometimes Feferred to as the "SPAD VIII"?
The names SPAD VII, SPAD XII, SPAD XIII, etc., all follow Roman numeral naming conventions. Since “XIII” (13) looks similar to “VIII” (8) at a quick glance—especially in old handwriting or low-quality prints—people have occasionally misread or misremembered the model number.
There was no official SPAD S.VIII model. The SPAD XIII was a direct development of the SPAD VII, with more power, better armament, and overall improved performance. But the numbering jumped straight from VII to XII (a cannon-armed version) and then to XIII, skipping numbers like VIII through XI. This wasn’t uncommon at the time, as not all numbers were used in production designations.
IN SHORT: The SPAD XIII is sometimes mistakenly called the SPAD VIII due to a mix-up with Roman numerals, but they are not the same aircraft—and in fact, the SPAD VIII didn’t exist.
SPAD S.XIII Specifications
- Crew: Single-seat
- Overall length: 6.25 meters (20 feet 6 inches)
- Wingspan: Typically 8.25 meters (27 feet 1 inch); later variants featured a slightly reduced span of 8.08 meters (26.5 feet)
- Height: 2.60 meters (8 feet 6 inches)
- Wing surface area: 21.11 square meters (227.2 square feet), with later models having a slightly smaller area of 20.2 square meters (217 square feet)
- Unladen weight: 601.5 kilograms (1,326 pounds)
- Maximum takeoff weight: 856.5 kilograms (1,888 pounds)
- Engine: One Hispano-Suiza 8Ba, 8Bb, or 8Bd — a water-cooled, V8 engine delivering 150 kW (200 horsepower)
SPAD S.XIII Performance
- Top speed:
- 211 km/h (131 mph, 114 knots) at an altitude of 1,000 meters (3,300 feet), 208.5 km/h (129.6 mph, 112.6 knots) at 2,000 meters (6,600 feet), 205.5 km/h (127.7 mph, 111.0 knots) at 3,000 meters (9,800 feet), 201 km/h (125 mph, 109 knots) at 4,000 meters (13,000 feet), 190 km/h (120 mph, 100 knots) at 5,000 meters (16,000 feet).
- Endurance: Approximately 2 hours of flight time
- Operational ceiling: 6,800 meters (22,300 feet)
- Climb performance:
- Reaches 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) in 2 minutes and 20 seconds, 2,000 meters (6,600 feet) in 5 minutes and 17 seconds, 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) in 8 minutes and 45 seconds, 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) in 13 minutes and 5 seconds, 5,000 meters (16,000 feet) in 20 minutes and 10 seconds.
- Wing loading: 40 kilograms per square meter (8.2 pounds per square foot)
SPAD S.XIII Armament
- Guns: 2 x .303 in (7.70 mm) Vickers machine guns or on USAS Examples, 2 x Marlin M1917 or M1918 machine guns.
- Bombs: 4 x 25 lb (11 kg) Cooper bombs.
Where to See a SPAD S.XIII Today
Several original SPAD S.XIII aircraft have survived and are preserved in museums across the world.
In Belgium, aircraft SP49 is on static display at the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels.
France is home to multiple examples: one, designated S4377, is fully airworthy and maintained by the Memorial Flight Association in La Ferté-Alais, Île-de-France, while another, S5295 (also known as S15295), is exhibited at the Musée de la Grande Guerre du pays de Meaux, on loan from the Musée de l’air et de l’espace in Paris.
In the United States, several SPADs are also preserved. The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. houses S7689, known as “Smith IV,” in a static display. Meanwhile, S16594 can be found at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, painted in the colors of Eddie Rickenbacker’s aircraft. Another example, S15155, is displayed at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s 44th Street Sky Train Station in Arizona. This particular aircraft includes components from three different planes and is finished in a livery representing the SPAD XIII flown by American ace Frank Luke.
