SPAD SA.1

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SPAD SA.1
Role Fighter
Manufacturer S.P.A.D.
First flight May 1915 [1]
Primary user France
Number built 10 [1]
Variants SA.2, SA.3, SA.4
Wingspan 9.55 m (31 ft 4 in)[2][note 1]
Engine 80hp Le Rhône rotary
Armament front flexible Lewis or Hotchkiss
Crew 2
Max Speed 135 km/h (84 mph)[2]-150 km/h (93 mph)[1][note 2]
Climb 1,000 m (3,280 ft) in 4:00
2,000 m (6,560 ft) in 7:00
3,000 m (9,840 ft) in 16:05[1][note 3]
Endurance 2:45 [2]

The pre-synchronizer days led to many innovative ideas to provide a front-firing gun: pushers, top-wing mounts, deflector plates, etc. SPAD chose a unique route in the SPAD SA.1: a hinged pulpit for a gunner attached in front of the propeller of a traditional tractor biplane. The pulpit was hinged at the undercarriage so it could be moved out of the way for engine maintenance. A speaking tube ran from the pulpit through the propeller hub to the pilot, so that the crewman could maintain at least the semblance of communication.

The SA.1 is most recognizable by its triangular-shaped horizontal stabilizers. There were originally built without the cheek-cowls on the front fuselage sides, but those may have been retrofitted to some models. Ten were built before production switched to the improved SA.2.[1]

For more information, see Wikipedia:SPAD S.A.

Game Data

Wings of Glory

Preliminary Stats
Maneuver Damage Dmg Points Max Alt. Climb
Y B 13 11 5

Miniatures and Models

1:144 Scale

1:285/6mm/1:288 Scale

Resources

Orthographic Drawings

References

Notes
  1. Some references give a wingspan of 2.77 m (9.10 ft).[2]
  2. This flight-test figure may have been with no observer or gun.
  3. These flight-test climb figures may have been with no observer or gun.
Citations
  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Davilla, p.474.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Davilla, p.478.
Bibliography
  • Dr. James J. Davilla and Arthur M. Soltan. French Aircraft of the First World War. Flying Machines Press, 1997. ISBN 0-9637110-4-0.