S.VII Spad

Spad-VII drawing (20k b/w) from "History of aircraft construction in the USSR", Vol.1 p.309

Single-seat biplane fighter, armed with single synchronized Vickers machinegun with chain feed. Honeycomb radiator was installed in front of the Hispano-Suiza engine.

This clean sturdy aircraft became the backbone for French, Italian, American and Belgian fighter units. Very fast in climb and dive, it was also sold to many countries after WWI.

In Russia production started on the Dux factory in 1917, and about 100 were built. Production stalled when stock of the Hispano-Suiza engines was existed in early 1918.

Noteworthy, data for French built Spad-VII looks much better. Indeed, Russia as an ally was supplied by second-class engines and had to rely on domestic materials. As a result, heavier aircraft had to be powered by weaker engine.