SPAD A.2

Before synchronized machine guns were available to the Allied forces, there were several attempts to design a plane which could fire forward. One of the more ingenious solutions was developed by the French firm Société Anonyme Pour l’Aviation et ses Dérivés.

The SPAD A.2 had a nacelle mounted in front of the propeller which held a gunner and a highly moveable machine gun. The nacelle incorporated vents to increase air flow over the engine and could be lowered for servicing the engine. A cage behind protected the gunner from the propeller.

Although the gunner had a clear field of fire, the configuration severely limited the pilot's view and made communication between crew members impossible.

This aircraft was also flown by:
  Imperial Russia