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trucker17
July 21st, 2014, 09:49
First a little history on the SPAD.
Taken from the Development page at VS.

Spad VII Developer Diary
The SPAD S.VII was the first of a series of highly successful biplane fighter aircraft produced by Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés (SPAD) during the First World War. Like its successors, the S.VII was renowned as a sturdy and rugged aircraft with good climbing and diving characteristics. It was also a stable gun platform, although pilots used to the more manoeuvrable Nieuport fighters found it heavy on the controls. It was flown by a number of the famous aces, such as France's Georges Guynemer, Italy's Francesco Baracca and Australia's Alexander Pentland.

The French Aviation Militaire had been sufficiently impressed by the performance of the SPAD V prototype to order a batch of 268 aircraft on 10 May 1916. However, teething problems soon appeared and it would be several months before the SPAD VII would serve in significant numbers on the front, the last aircraft of the initial batch being delivered in February 1917.
In spite of these delays, some aircraft were delivered to frontline units as early as August 1916, to complement to Nieuport fighters. At this date, Allied designs such as the Nieuport 11 /17 and D.H.2 had been able to regain air superiority after the infamous "Fokker scourge" episode but, by the second half of 1916, new types of more powerful German fighters threatened to give Germany mastery of the skies again. In this context, it was hoped the new SPAD VII would be able to fight the modern German fighters on equal terms. The first aircraft delivered to a frontline unit was S.112 flown by Lt Sauvage of N.65, followed by S.113, assigned to Georges Guynemer of N.3. Guynemer was already credited with 15 victories at the time, but it was Armand Pinsard of N.26 who was the first to score an aerial victory on 26 August, flying S.122.


The initial introduction of the SPAD VII was therefore not enough to change the balance of the air war but it allowed both pilots and mechanics to familiarize themselves with the new fighter. Quite a few pilots thought the SPAD lacked maneuverability and some even reverted to the nimble Nieuports they were accustomed to while waiting for the aircraft to become more reliable, but most were quick to realize its combat potential. René Fonck, France's leading ace of World War I with 75 victories, said of the introduction of the SPAD that "it completely changed the face of aerial warfare." New tactics based primarily on speed were developed to take advantage of the SPAD's power, and to compensate for its relative lack of maneuverability.

The aircraft's capacity to dive safely up to 400 km/h (249 mph) was a superb advantage that permitted to leave combat rapidly without fear of pursuit if the situation demanded it.
With early problems solved and production shared between several manufacturers, the SPAD VII finally began appearing in large numbers at the front in early 1917. By mid 1917, some 500 SPADs were in front-line service, having almost completely replaced the Nieuport. The aircraft was a solid performer in combat and could cope with most of its opponents. It also acquired a reputation of being capable of absorbing far more damage than its flimsier predecessors. Its principal shortcoming was its one machine gun armament at a time when most opposition fighters were equipped with two.
The SPAD VII was gradually replaced by the improved SPAD XIII in front line units but remained an important asset of the Aviation Militaire throughout the war, being latterly used as a trainer aircraft. It was also used as the standard pilot certificate test aircraft until 1928.
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/1_zpsb6930850.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/1_zpsb6930850.png.html)
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/2_zps3c29e6d9.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/2_zps3c29e6d9.png.html)
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/3_zps302a5dac.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/3_zps302a5dac.png.html)
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/4_zps37d01bdc.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/4_zps37d01bdc.png.html)

trucker17
July 21st, 2014, 09:52
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/5_zps1ad751e0.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/5_zps1ad751e0.png.html)
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/6_zps425a1b1a.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/6_zps425a1b1a.png.html)
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/7_zpse114d8d2.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/7_zpse114d8d2.png.html)
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/8_zps3649601d.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/8_zps3649601d.png.html)

trucker17
July 21st, 2014, 09:55
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/9_zps94c3084c.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/9_zps94c3084c.png.html)
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/10_zps6361ad79.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/10_zps6361ad79.png.html)
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/11_zpsf18123af.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/11_zpsf18123af.png.html)
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/12_zpsc98c3215.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/12_zpsc98c3215.png.html)

trucker17
July 21st, 2014, 09:56
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/13_zpse35181ef.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/13_zpse35181ef.png.html)
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/14_zps03a6f7d5.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/14_zps03a6f7d5.png.html)
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/15_zpsca459ba6.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/15_zpsca459ba6.png.html)
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/16_zps2824dbee.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/16_zps2824dbee.png.html)

trucker17
July 21st, 2014, 09:57
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/17_zps4d22ec09.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/17_zps4d22ec09.png.html)
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/18_zpsd07781da.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/18_zpsd07781da.png.html)
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/19_zpsdbc51c25.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/19_zpsdbc51c25.png.html)
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/20_zpsb61ecb7a.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/20_zpsb61ecb7a.png.html)

trucker17
July 21st, 2014, 09:58
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/21_zps96fc2d69.jpg (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/21_zps96fc2d69.jpg.html)

More screenshots as they post them.....

wombat666
July 21st, 2014, 10:02
I'm really impressed!!!!!
In fact, out-bloody-standing work thus far.
:encouragement::encouragement::encouragement:

Just one small detail.........might I suggest the over wing Lewis is 'optional', most, if not all the SPAD 7s seem to have done time with the single Vickers.
Nice to have it available, but I've yet to see one mounted on the in service versions, especially those flown by the 'Aces'.

trucker17
July 21st, 2014, 10:08
No Doubt.
I have had my eye on this plane since the announcement, and have followed it very closely.
My first R/C aircraft was a SPAD VII, I ordered the plans from R/C Modeler magazine.....That was my first scratch built aircraft.
She now hangs from the rafters in my playroom.

Dev One
July 21st, 2014, 10:23
The detail certainly looks very good, very envious of that work - just one comment from those screenshots though - there needs to be some twist added to the static prop - it wont give much thrust as drawn!
Keith

PutPut
July 21st, 2014, 10:30
I want one! Nuff said!

Paul :icon29:

ZsoltB
July 21st, 2014, 10:39
Yes! Great!

:applause:

dhazelgrove
July 21st, 2014, 10:54
10375

"Woof!!"

Dave

trucker17
July 21st, 2014, 13:42
Here is a screenshot of the Bessonneau Hanger, that Deano is working on for a small WWI era airfield he is working on for the SPAD and Nieuport 17....Another piece of history I am patiently waiting for.
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/Bessonneau_Render_1b_zpsacb67124.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/Bessonneau_Render_1b_zpsacb67124.png.html)

Pips
July 21st, 2014, 16:02
Fantastic! This is one of the most important aeroplanes of the Great war. Wonderful to see it under development. CC is almost jumping outta my hand!

bruce448
July 21st, 2014, 16:32
http://s29.postimg.org/an5657tev/2014_7_21_23_20_5_632.jpg

http://s29.postimg.org/bqpah6e1z/2014_7_21_23_21_4_562.jpg

trucker17
July 21st, 2014, 17:38
Thank you Bruce for the updated screenshots.
She looks awesome.

MDIvey
July 22nd, 2014, 00:57
fantastic....

Matt

trucker17
July 23rd, 2014, 18:35
Some new screenshots posted today.

http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/spad_ss_1_zpsfb1c5c0f.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/spad_ss_1_zpsfb1c5c0f.png.html)
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/spad_ss_2_zpsdcd862fa.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/spad_ss_2_zpsdcd862fa.png.html)
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/spad_ss_3_zps9e0713b5.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/spad_ss_3_zps9e0713b5.png.html)
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/spad_ss_4_zps2ef2525f.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/spad_ss_4_zps2ef2525f.png.html)

trucker17
July 23rd, 2014, 18:37
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/spad_ss_5_zpsb23d45c6.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/spad_ss_5_zpsb23d45c6.png.html)
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/spad_ss_6_zps74419ebc.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/spad_ss_6_zps74419ebc.png.html)

Roger
July 23rd, 2014, 22:42
That is looking great!

Ian Warren
July 23rd, 2014, 22:51
Need a bit of RnR .. Tonight's viewing maybe 'Flyboys' 'Red Baron' or the classic 'Aces High' :engel016:

roger-wilco-66
July 24th, 2014, 01:33
Wonderful shots. Thanks for the updates. Looking forward!

Cheers,
Mark

mvg3d
July 24th, 2014, 01:59
Hi Friends,
I hope in a future "Francesco Baracca" livery........

:applause::applause::applause::applause:

Dumonceau
July 24th, 2014, 02:09
I would love one like this:

10455

Dumonceau

txnetcop
July 24th, 2014, 02:19
In a word...WOW!
​Ted

Dimus
July 24th, 2014, 02:20
This does look like an amazing model!

I am just wondering about the overwing Lewis gun. It was certainly non-standard and the few references I've seen show it mounted lower and slightly offset to clear the prop disk.

http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/811915Spad71.jpg

I wonder if the Lewis was an RFC requirement only like the one above. I'm sure Vertigo have done their research and know more.

Stickshaker
July 24th, 2014, 10:09
Here is a screenshot of the Bessonneau Hanger, that Deano is working on for a small WWI era airfield he is working on for the SPAD and Nieuport 17....Another piece of history I am patiently waiting for.
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/trucker17/Bessonneau_Render_1b_zpsacb67124.png (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/trucker17/media/Bessonneau_Render_1b_zpsacb67124.png.html)


I would buy the plane just to get the airfield! Hopefully this will increase interest in WWI planes.

Scratch
July 24th, 2014, 18:39
This is a must buy for me. I hope there is a paint to honor this guy who has always been one of my heroes: http://www.wwiaviation.com/aces/ace_Guynemer.html

trucker17
July 24th, 2014, 21:51
I'm not sure how many repaints will come with this plane.
But I am sure some one will make a repaint of his plane.

Bomber_12th
July 24th, 2014, 23:55
Guynemer's Spad is likely to be the most famous of them all to depict. One of his original WWI Spads still exists, on display at Le Bourget (an original, not a copy).

lucas81
July 26th, 2014, 13:17
Nice project! Great that more WW1 planes are coming. Besides that, we have 100th Anniversary of the outbreak of WW1 in a couple of days.
As for the upper Lewis gun, this was a kind of option, used mostly on British-built S7's. Spad 7's were mainly armed with a single Vickers gun. Other options were Le Prieur rockets and sometimes she was carrying small bombs mounted on the gear struts. Judging from the screenshots, Vertigo will provide the British model (Brit gauges installed). On the other hand, it looks like an early model of the plane, powered by the 150HP Hispano-Suiza or one of the first batches with 180HP Hisso, because it is lacking radiator shutters on the front. One of the most important WW1 planes, no doubt about that, used from the Fall 1916 until the end of the war.
Good luck with the project!
Lucas