As for the Spad later version, I am not sure if a new version will (or is already) being
created by the Eastern European mod-artists. They are in large part responsible for
some of the many airplanes you are all flying now and they are creating many more.
If someone speaks better Russian/Polish or Che-ko-slo-va-ki-an please go and ask
them about any future projects.
Heh heh, I too am syllabal challenged (see, I can't even spell it right). I would never make it in Eastern Europe unless I was classified as a 'mute'. I think the guys that came up with that name for a country were actually trying to impede an invasion, as it would take excessive resources just to make maps or or write plans.
When I was about 9 (in 1966), I got to see an actual Spad VII perform in a GREAT airshow at Eglin AFB in Fla. It was (according to the program at the time) flown by an actual WW1 American aviator. The gun was actually firing blanks (or perhaps some simulating apparatus) apparently as he made passes down the runway. I examined this machine closely in a hangar beforehand, and remember looking down the fuselage and peering through the ringsite above the single Vickers. I was familiar with the XIII, having built a 1/72 model of it, so I was fascinated with the early version of the Spad.
Forward a few decades to 1992, and my trip to the USAF museum at Wright Patterson AFB; there was a Spad VII, which I thought was the same one (I mean, how many can there be?). However, it was obtained from the museum of industry and science in 62. I have no idea what happened to the one I saw fly in 65/66.
Here be VII in the USAF museum. Google Spad VII and XIII and you will find all sorts of neat stuff.
This is in (I think) a French museum, in the markings of Georges Guynemer. (spelling?)
Here's one in US service, though I don't know what outfit used them. I thought they all went to XIIIs from Nieuport 28s. It kinda looks a bit smaller than the XIII in this view.
And one in French service.
It's kinda hard to discern the difference w/o seeing the upper cowling clearly, so difficult that the USAF museum had a shot of the XIII as one of the four pix under the Spad VII entry. They don't usually mess up like that.
Here is the USAF's XIII (Note the Salmson hanging in the background).
Kinda hard to tell the 7 and the 13 apart; I had to zoom in on the tail from this angle to be sure. I just don't see alot of major differences as far as the design itself goes.
And outside the USAF museum.
I'm pretty sure this is in a French museum, same as above I think. The gun on the left of center-line is the only way I could tell, plus it showed up in the images when I googled it (but ya better check when you do that).
Now for a size comparison; look at Capt. Eddie propped up on his AC. Compare this to the Spad VII above in US service with the guys standing next to it. I don't know if it just seems exagerated or not, but I thought it worth mentioning for youse modeller guys. The perspective affects that to.
Here is a full uncropped view of the same photo. Keep in mind that Rickenbacker was a TALL guy. He also signed a ton of these shots that populate any google search. He usually put the yr also.
And for those of you wondering about the colors (though the one in the USAF museum in his colors is a bit darker than this)....
Here's another one of him talking to James Jabarra and Gen. Vandenberg in 1951. Poor Jabarra looks downright little compared to these guys. So keep this in mind in any size comparison to the VII....
And I was gonna leave it at that, but I found 2 shots taken in the same photo set, and I know WW1 guys will find this interesting. Check how much taller the good Capt is (middle towering figure)-compare the eye level). The Spad XIII was also big enough to morph into the Spad VI two seater, which was also in the USAF museum when I was there, but I can't find it listed now.
Although the above one may be cropped, this is another shot from the same session. I would love to see all those made that day by this photog. (Looks like an old Marlboro add - cue the theme to the "magnificent 7" - if you're under 45 you won't know that was the Marlboro theme in TV cigarette adds).
And I think that's the captured Halberstadt in the background.
And for some modeling detail, check out Eddie looking above the wing. Note the position of the ring mount, on the inside of the right Vickers, and note the brace bar between the guns. This is also a good look at the location of the fueling system, with a tank in the top wing feeding in a rather large metal tube to the engine. I thought VP might find this interesting.
That particular Spad survived and was put on display for many yrs in an assortment of places. The building it was on display in burned in the 50s or 60s (I think it was the 60s) and we lost that priceless piece of history. (that's from memory, can't find any info on it).
I didn't mean to post this much, but I kept finding neat stuff I thought would apply and maybe help with this, and I don't even have the 1916 DBW installed.....yet. (no time). Here's a couple more that may be of interest.
Note Eddie's flying suit. I tried to lighten the shot a bit to show the detail a bit better. Also note the Halberstadt in the background. I THINK that's one he shot down that landed near the field, as tehre is another shot of him standing in front of one that's not too badly damaged.
And here's another shot of the USAF's example painted like Rickenbacker's, with a bit more visible detail and the colors in sunlight.
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Topic: Spad VII and Albatross D.III, used as Spad XIII and Alabtross D.V?? (Read 6560 times)
