
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Past Exhibition

National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Past Exhibition
The fast and rugged Spad XIII was among the most successful fighters of World War I, in a class with the legendary Fokker D.VII and Sopwith Camel. It was flown by some of the most famous air heroes of the war, such as Guynemer, Fonck, Nungesser, Lufbery, Luke, and Rickenbacker. The aircraft was particularly noted for its robust construction and its ability to dive at high speed, features that made it one of the best dog-fighting airplanes of the war.
The Spad XIII was produced and deployed in great numbers. By the end of 1918, the parent company and eight other French manufactures had built 8,472 of the sturdy fighters. Almost every French fighter squadron was equipped with them by the end of the war, as well as the American units that were part of the American Expeditionary Force. Spads were also used by the British, the Italians, the Belgians, and the Russians.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Successful World War I Fighter Aircraft
The Spad XIII was flown by some of the most famous air heroes of World War I. The aircraft was noted for its robust construction and ability to dive at high speed, features that made it one of the best dog-fighting airplanes of the war. Only four Spad XIIIs remain.
1917-1918
France
CRAFT-Aircraft
SPAD (Societe Anonyme Pour l'Aviation et ses Derives)
Single-engine, single-seat, French-built World War I biplane fighter; 220-horsepower Hispano-Suiza 8Be engine. Green and brown camouflage finish upper surfaces. Gray and gray-green under surfaces.
Wingspan: 8.2 m (26 ft 11 in)
Length: 6.3 m (20 ft 8 in)
Height: 2.4 m (7 ft 11 in)
Weight: Empty, 566 kg (1,245 lb)
Gross, 820 kg (1,808 lb)
Airframe: Wood
Covering: Fabric
Spad XIII "Smith IV"
A19200001000
Transferred from the U.S. War Department.
National Air and Space Museum
Open Access (CCO)
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