SPAD is the acronym of the manufacturer -"Société Anonyme Pour l’Aviation et ses Dérivés". The SPAD VII was a single seat fighter. It was fast and difficult to shoot down, but its configuration obstructed forward and downward views from the cockpit. Nevertheless, it quickly became the primary fighter of the French Air Service.
The SPAD VII was armed with a synchronized Vickers machine gun mounted on the fuselage. The half struts in the wings reduced vibration of the wing wires and thus reduced drag.
This plane carries the markings of the Royal Flying Corps No. 30 Squadron which was stationed in Mesopotamia. Note the second gun mounted on the top wing.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Country of Manufacture | France |
| First Year of Service | 1916 |
| Wing Span | 25.7 ft | 7.8 m |
| Length | 20.2 ft | 6.2 m |
| Height | 7.5 ft | 2.3 m |
| Weight | 1632 lbs | 740 kg |
| Engine | Hispano-Suiza 8A, 8 cylinder liquid cooled engine, 150hp |
| Top Speed | 120 mph | 193 km/h |
| Range | 127 miles | 204 km |
| Armament | 1 Vickers .303 machine gun |
| Crew | 1 |
