SPAD 12

While the SPAD 7's opponents like the Albatros D.III sported two machine guns, the SPAD 7 had only one. Georges Guynemer proposed that SPAD add a cannon to the SPAD 7 firing through the propeller hub, and the result was the SPAD 12. The cannon, with twelve rounds of ammunition, was difficult to use and took a skilled pilot to bring it to bear.

Though three hundred were initially ordered, it seems only a dozen or two were completed, and they were parceled out in ones and twos to the best pilots of fighter escadrilles. At least six were sent to Russia, where they flew with the RKKVF in the 20's.

Like the SPAD 13, models from 1917 had rounded wingtips. Later models used more squared-off wingtops for improved maneuverability, and in the interim there was an upgrade kit available to convert from round to squared-off.

Card Links

 * Esc. 12 - de Turrenne
 * Esc. 103 - Fonck
 * Esc. 159 - de Slade
 * 91ª Sqdrl - Constantini

Aircraft Chart

1:144 Scale

 * Shapeways: Columbia Aerodrome, Kampfflieger, Reduced Aircraft Factory

1:285/6mm/1:288 Scale

 * Shapeways: Reduced Aircraft Factory