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.
The Serbian Air Service continued to fight after Serbia was occupied by Austria-Hungary in 1915 and flew planes provided by France. This plane carries French markings modified for Serbia.
| 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 |
