View source for SPAD S.XIII

{{Short description|French WW1 fighter aircraft}}
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{{Infobox aircraft
|name = S.XIII
|image = File:SPAD XIII 040510-F-1234P-019.jpg
|caption = SPAD S.XIII in the markings of [[Eddie Rickenbacker|Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker]], U.S. [[94th Fighter Squadron|94th Aero Squadron]] at the [[National Museum of the U.S. Air Force]] in Ohio.
|type = Biplane fighter
|national_origin =France
|manufacturer = [[Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés|SPAD]]
|designer = Louis Béchéreau
|first_flight = 4 April 1917<ref name="winchester23">Winchester 2006, p. 23.</ref>
|primary_user = [[History of the Armée de l'Air (1909–1942)|''Aéronautique Militaire'']]
|more_users= [[Royal Flying Corps]] (Royal Air Force from April 1918) <br /> [[United States Army Air Service]]
|number_built = 8,472<ref name="Sharpe 2000, p. 272"/>
}}

The '''SPAD S.XIII''' is a French [[biplane]] [[fighter aircraft]] of the [[World War I|First World War]], developed by ''[[Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés]]'' (SPAD) from the earlier and highly successful [[SPAD S.VII]].

During early 1917, the French designer [[Louis Béchereau]], spurred by the approaching obsolescence of the S.VII, decided to develop two new fighter aircraft, the [[SPAD S.XII|S.XII]] and the S.XIII, both using a powerful new geared version of the successful [[Hispano-Suiza 8]]A engine. The cannon armament of the S.XII was unpopular, but the S.XIII proved to be one of the most capable fighters of the war, as well as one of the most-produced, with 8,472 built and orders for around 10,000 more cancelled at the [[Armistice of 11 November 1918|Armistice]].<ref name="Sharpe 2000, p. 272">Sharpe 2000, p. 272.</ref>

By the end of the First World War, the S.XIII had equipped virtually every fighter squadron of the [[History of the Armée de l'Air (1909–1942)|''Aéronautique Militaire'']]. In addition, the [[United States Army Air Service]] also procured the type in bulk during the conflict, and some replaced or supplemented S.VIIs in the [[Royal Flying Corps]] (RFC), pending the arrival of [[Sopwith Dolphin]]s. It proved popular with its pilots and numerous [[flying ace|aces]] from various nations flew the S.XIII. Following the [[Armistice of 11 November 1918]], which marked the end of the First World War, surplus S.XIIIs were sold to both civil and military operators throughout the world.

{{TOC limit|limit=2}}

==Development==
===Background===
The origins of the SPAD S.XIII lies in the performance of its predecessor, the [[SPAD S.VII]], a single-seat fighter aircraft powered by a {{cvt|110|kW|adj=on}} direct drive [[Hispano-Suiza 8]]A water-cooled [[V-8 engine]] and armed with a single [[synchronization gear|synchronised]] [[Vickers machine gun]]. The type had good performance for the time, and entered service with the French ''[[Aéronautique Militaire]]'' during August 1916.<ref name="AE15 p58-0">Bruce ''Air Enthusiast'' Fifteen, pp. 58–60.</ref> By early 1917, however, the S.VII had been surpassed by the latest German fighters such as the [[Albatros D.III]].<ref name="profile p4">Andrews 1965, p. 4.</ref>

More capable German fighters soon resulted in a shift in aerial supremacy towards the [[Central Powers]], which led to calls for better aircraft.<ref name="profile p4-5">Andrews 1965, pp. 4-5.</ref> French [[flying ace]] [[Georges Guynemer]] personally lobbied for an improved S.VII, telling the SPAD's designer [[Louis Béchereau]] that "The 150 hp SPAD is not a match for the [[Halberstadt D.II|Halberstadt]] ... More speed is needed."<ref name="AIMay76 p240">Bruce ''Air International'' May 1976, p. 240.</ref> A quick solution to the problem was to increase the compression ratio of the Hispano-Suiza engine, which increased its power to {{cvt|130|kW}} to significantly improve performance, allowing the SPAD S.VII to remain competitive for the time being.<ref name="AE15 p61-2">Bruce ''Air Enthusiast'' Fifteen, pp. 61–62.</ref>

[[Hispano-Suiza]] were already in the process of developing a more powerful geared version of the 8A engine,<ref name="profile p4"/> and this engine was chosen by Béchereau to power two developed versions of the S.VII. The British [[Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5]]a and [[Sopwith Dolphin]] fighters would also be powered by the same engine.<ref name="profile p4-5"/>

===Intro flight===
The first of Béchereau's designs to fly with the new, reduction gear HS.8B engine design series was the [[SPAD S.XII|S.XII]] in its [[Hispano-Suiza 8#Variants|HS.8BeC]] (or "HS-38") version, which was armed with an unusual {{cvt|37|mm|3}} cannon that fired through the [[propeller]] shaft. However, this aircraft only saw limited use, having been rapidly followed into production by the more conventionally armed S.XIII, which was deemed to be a preferable configuration by several French pilots and officials.<ref name="AIMay76 p240-2">Bruce ''Air International'' May 1976, pp. 240–242.</ref> Aviation author C.F. Andrews has claimed that a large portion of the credit for the S.XIII lies with Marc Birkigt, the designer of the engine, who had chosen to introduce various innovative features upon it, such as monobloc [[aluminium]] cylinders, which were furnished with screwed-in [[steel]] liners, which improved its performance.<ref name="profile p5">Andrews 1965, p. 5.</ref>

The SPAD S.XIII flew for the first time on 4 April 1917.<ref name="AIJun76 p289"/><ref name="profile p6"/> An early distinguishing feature of the S.XIII – as with the SPAD S.XII – was that its similarly geared HS.8Be V8 engine had a left-handed propeller, which rotating in the opposite rotation to the earlier, direct-drive HS.8A-powered S.VII. Early on, similarly to the British [[Sopwith Dolphin#Engine problems|Sopwith Dolphin]] also powered with HS.8B-series geared V8s, problems were encountered with the gearing, however, Béchereau persisted with the engine, which soon became fairly reliable.<ref name="profile p6"/> Production was ramped up almost immediately after the first flight. Within months of its first flight, the S.XIII had not only entered service with the [[History of the Armée de l'Air (1909–1942)|''Aéronautique Militaire'']], but had proven itself to be a successful fighter.<ref name="profile p6"/>

==Design==
The SPAD S.XIII was a single-engine biplane fighter aircraft. In terms of its construction, it shared a similar configuration and layout to the earlier S.VII,{{#tag:ref|Although the Spads actually had single-[[interplane strut|bay]] wings, they were fitted with tie struts to support the bracing wires halfway along the wing, which gave the appearance of a two-bay wing.<ref name="profile p6">Andrews 1965, p. 6.</ref>|group=nb}} featuring a mainly wooden structure with a [[fabric]] covering.<ref name="profile p7-8">Andrews 1965, pp. 7–8.</ref> It was however generally larger and heavier than its predecessor. Other changes were made to the [[aileron]]s, the rounded tips of the tailplanes, the bulkier cowling accommodating the gear-drive Hispano-Suiza 8B engine, and enlarged [[fin]] and [[rudder]] with a curved trailing edge.<ref name="profile p6"/> The S.XIII was armed with a pair of forward-mounted Vickers machine guns with 400 rounds per gun, which replaced the single gun of the earlier aircraft.<ref name="AIJun76 p289">Bruce ''Air International'' June 1976, p. 289.</ref>

The S.XIII featured relatively conventional construction, that being a wire-braced biplane with a box-shaped fuselage and a nose-mounted engine, except for its interposed wing struts located halfway along the wing span, which gave the fighter the appearance of being a double-bay aircraft instead of a single-bay.<ref name="profile p6-7"/> This change prevented the landing brace wires from whipping and chafing during flight. Otherwise, it had an orthodox structure, comprising wooden members attached to metal joint fixtures.<ref name="profile p6-7">Andrews 1965, pp. 6–7.</ref> The fuselage consisted of four square-section [[longeron]]s, with wooden struts and cross-members while braced with heavy-gauge [[piano wire]]. Wire cable was used for the flying and landing wires.<ref name="profile p7">Andrews 1965, p. 7.</ref>

[[File:103rd Aero Squadron - Spad XIII.jpg|thumb|A SPAD S.XIII of the American [[103rd Aero Squadron]] - note exposed aileron bellcrank protruding from lower wing, also used for the A.2 "pulpit fighter" and S.VII.]]
[[File:SPAD S.XIII Front.jpg|thumb|A SPAD S.XIII at Air Service Production Center No. 2, Romorantin Aerodrome, France, 1918]]
To enable a two-hour endurance, the S.XIII was fitted with several underbelly fuel tanks held within the forward fuselage area which fed into the main service tank in the upper wing center section with an engine-driven pump.<ref name="profile p8">Andrews 1965, p. 8.</ref> Similar pumps were used for supplying pressurised [[oil]] and water circulation between the engine's [[radiator]] and a header tank was housed within the upper wing. The circular nose radiator incorporated vertical [[Window blind#Venetian|Venetian]]-style [[blinds]] to regulate engine temperatures.<ref name="profile p7-8"/>

The upper wing was made in one piece, with hollow box-section short spars that connected with [[linen]]-wrapped [[scarf joint]]s, Andrews claims that long runs of spruce were difficult to obtain.<ref name="profile p7"/> Plywood webs and spruce capping strips, internally braced with piano wire, formed the airfoil. The upper wing was fitted with ailerons, actuated by the pilot via a series of tubular pushrods that ran vertical directly beneath the ailerons, with external, 90° bellcranks mounted on top of the lower wings.<ref name="profile p8"/> The lower wing had spruce [[leading edge]]s and wire-cable [[trailing edge]]s, while the surfaces were fabric-covered and treated with [[aircraft dope]] to produce a scalloped effect.<ref name="profile p7"/>

While the forward Vickers machine guns were standard, they were not always available. As a result of a shortage during the last months of the war, several American S.XIII squadrons replaced Vickers .303 machine guns with the lighter {{cvt|11.34|kg}} [[M1895 Colt-Browning machine gun#Marlin Rockwell M1917/M1918 versions|.30/06-calibre Marlin Rockwell M1917 and M1918 aircraft machine guns]],<ref name="AIJun76 p312">Bruce ''Air International'' June 1976, p. 312.</ref><ref name="Maurerv1 p146-7">Maurer 1978, pp. 146–147.</ref> saving some {{cvt|7|kg}}<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160409195320/http://milpas.cc/rifles/ZFiles/WWI/Machine%20Guns/Marlin%20Gun/Marlin%20Gun.html Archived Marlin M1917/18 machine gun specification page]</ref> over the Vickers' {{cvt|30|kg}}, for the guns alone. By the end of the war, about half of American S.XIIIs had been converted.

The powerplant of the S.XIII was a geared Hispano-Suiza engine, at first a 8Ba providing {{cvt|150|kW}},<ref name="AIJun76 p289"/> but in later aircraft a high-compression 8Bc or 8Be delivering {{cvt|160|kW}} was often used.<ref name="AIJun76 p292">Bruce ''Air International'' June 1976, p. 292.</ref> These improvements produced a notable improvement in flight and combat performance.<ref name="profile p6"/> It was faster than its main contemporaries, the British [[Sopwith Camel]] and the German Fokker D.VII, and its higher power-to-weight ratio gave it a good rate of climb. The SPAD was renowned for its speed and strength in a dive, although the maneuverability of the type was relatively poor and the aircraft was difficult to control at low speeds,  needing to be landed with power on, unlike contemporary fighters like the [[Nieuport 27]] which could be landed with power off.<ref name="profile p6"/>

The geared engines proved to be unreliable, suffering from vibration and poor lubrication. This severely affected serviceability, with it being claimed in November 1917 that the Spad S.XIII was "incapable of giving dependable service". Even in April 1918, an official report stated that two-thirds of the {{cvt|150|kW}} SPADs were out of use at any one time due to engine problems.<ref name="AIJun76 p291">Bruce ''Air International'' June 1976, p. 291.</ref> At least one American observer believed at the time that the French were giving the American SPAD XIII squadrons lower-quality engines from their least favored manufacturers while keeping the best for themselves.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} The reliability issues were an acceptable price to pay for improved performance, however,<ref name="AIJun76 p293">Bruce ''Air International'' June 1976, p. 293.</ref> improved build quality and changes to the engine improved serviceability.<ref name="aircam p9">Bruce et al. 1969, p. 9.</ref>

At the beginning of 1918 the Aviation Militaire issued a requirement for a more powerful fighter, in a C1 (''Chasseur'' single-seat) specification. SPAD responded by fitting the {{cvt|220|kW}} Hispano-Suiza 8Fb in the SPAD XIII airframe. The structure was strengthened and improved aerodynamically, retaining the dimensions of the SPAD XIII. Twenty '''SPAD XVII''' fighters were built and issued to units with [[Groupe de Combat 12|GC 12]] (''Les Cigones'').

==Operational history==
[[File:Phoenix-Frank Luke Jr. SPAD XIII-Sky Harbor Airport-1.JPG|250px|thumb|A SPAD XIII painted to represent the aircraft flown by [[Arizona]] native [[Frank Luke|Frank Luke Jr.]], the first aviator awarded the [[Medal of Honor]], the highest military decoration in the United States, in  [[World War I]].]] 
Deliveries to the {{lang|fr|Armée de l'Air}} commenced During May 1917, only one month following the type's first flight.<ref name="AI Jun76 p280">Bruce ''Air International'' June 1976, p. 280.</ref> The new aircraft quickly became an important element in the French plans for its fighter force, being expected to replace the SPAD S.VII as well as remaining Nieuport fighters in front line service.

However the slow rate of deliveries disrupted these forecasts and by the end of March 1918, only 764 of the planned 2,230 had been delivered.<ref name="AIJun76 p290-1">Bruce ''Air International'' June 1976, pp. 290–291.</ref>

Eventually, the S.XIII equipped nearly every French fighter squadron, 74 [[escadrille]]s, during the First World War.<ref name="BruceJul76 p293-4">Bruce ''Air International'' June 1976, pp. 293–294.</ref> At the end of the war, plans were underway to replace the S.XIII with several fighter types powered by the {{cvt|220|kW}} Hispano-Suiza 8F, such as the [[Nieuport-Delage NiD 29]], the [[SPAD S.XX]] and the Sopwith Dolphin II.<ref name="AIJun76 p310">Bruce ''Air International'' June 1976, p. 310.</ref> These plans lapsed following the signing of the [[Armistice of 11 November 1918]], which ended the First World War and the SPAD S.XIII remained in French service as a fighter aircraft until 1923,<ref name="AIJun76 p312"/> with Nieuport-Delage NiD 29 deliveries being delayed until 1920.

The S.XIII was flown by numerous famous French fighter pilots such as [[Rene Fonck]] (the highest scoring Allied ace, with 75 victories), [[Georges Guynemer]] (54 victories), and [[Charles Nungesser]] (45 victories), and also by the leading Italian ace [[Francesco Baracca]] (34 victories).<ref name="profile p8-10">Andrews 1965, pp. 8-10.</ref> Aces of the [[United States Army Air Service]] who flew the S.XIII include [[Eddie Rickenbacker]] (the United States' leading First World War ace with 26 victories) and [[Frank Luke]] (18 victories). Andrews attributes the S.XIII's natural stability, which made it a steady gun platform, as the key for its success.<ref name="profile p9">Andrews 1965, p. 9.</ref>

===USAAS===
Other Allied forces were quick to adopt the new fighter as well and the SPAD XIII equipped 15 of the 16 operational USAAS pursuit squadrons by the Armistice. Prior to the United States entry into the war, American volunteers flying with the Allies had been flying the type.<ref name="profile p10">Andrews 1965, p. 10.</ref> Nearly half of the 893 purchased by the United States were still in service by 1920. In the United States, some S.XIIIs were re-engined with {{cvt|130|kW}} Wright-Hispano engines and used to prepare pilots for the new [[Thomas-Morse MB-3]] fighter (which used SPAD-type wings) in 1922. The Wright-Hispano engines were unable to matching the performance of the original powerplant.<ref name="profile p10"/>

===RFC===
During December 1917, [[No. 23 Squadron RAF|No.23 Squadron]] [[Royal Flying Corps]] (RFC) equipped with the SPAD S.XIII and retaining them until April 1918 when it re-equipped with the Dolphin, while [[No. 19 Squadron RAF|No. 19 Squadron]] (equipped with the earlier S.VII) also operated at least one S.XIII for a time.<ref name="BruceRFC p561-3">Bruce 1982, pp. 561–563.</ref> The type was used as an interim fighter while awaiting delivery of British-built aircraft.<ref name="profile p10"/>

In his memoir Sagittarius Rising, [[Cecil Arthur Lewis|Cecil Lewis]] described an aerial competition between himself and a SPAD flown by Guynemer, and Lewis in an SE5, "Their speeds were almost identical, but the high-compression Spad climbed quicker. After the race was over, Guynemeyer and I held a demonstration combat over the aerodrome. Again I was badly worsted. Guynemeyer was all over me. In his hands the Spad was a marvel of flexibility. In the first minute I should have been shot down a dozen times".<ref>Sagittarius Rising, Cecil Lewis</ref>

===Corpo Aeronautico Militare===
The S.XIII was also acquired by Italy for the [[Corpo Aeronautico Militare]].<ref name="profile p10"/> Italian pilots expressed a preference for another French-built fighter, the [[Hanriot HD.1]], which was more maneuverable but less powerful. Belgium also operated the S.XIII and one Belgian ace, Edmond Thieffry, came to prominence while piloting the type.<ref name="profile p10"/> After the end of the war, the S.XIII was also exported, including to Japan, Poland and [[Czechoslovakia]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2018}}

===Gallery===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="140px">
File:SPADXIIIguynemerweb.jpg|SPAD XIII Georges Guynemer
File:SPADXIIIrenéfonckweb.jpg|SPAD XIII [[René Fonck]]
File:SPADXIIIrickenbackerweb.jpg|SPAD XIII [[Eddie Rickenbacker]]
File:SpadXIIIspa79web.jpg|SPAD XIII David "Duffy" Lewis
</gallery>

==Operators==
;{{BEL}}
* [[Groupe de Chasse (Belgium)|''Groupe de Chasse'']]
** [[10me Escadrille de Chasse]]
;{{flag|Brazil|1889}}
* Aviação Militar do Exército Brasileiro (Brazilian Army Aviation) - 1920 to 1930
;{{CSK}}
* [[Czech Air Force]] – Postwar.
;{{FRA}}
[[French Air Force|''Aéronautique Militaire'']]
** [[Escadrille 3]]
** [[Escadrille 12]]
** [[Escadrille 15]]
** Escadrille 16
** [[Escadrille 23]]
** [[Escadrille 26]]
** [[Escadrille 31]]
** [[Escadrille 37]] [[File:Louis gros SPAD XII.png|thumb|SPAD XIII n°2782 of French Pilot [[Louis Prosper Gros]] in [[La Ferté-Gaucher]] on June 1918.]]
** [[Escadrille 38]]
** [[Escadrille 48]]
** [[Escadrille 49]]
** [[Escadrille 57]]
** [[Escadrille 62]]
** [[Escadrille 65]]
** [[Escadrille 67]]
** [[Escadrille 68]]
** [[Escadrille 69]]
** [[Escadrille 73]]
** [[Escadrille 75]]
** [[Escadrille 76]]
** [[Escadrille 77]]
** [[Escadrille 78]]
** Escadrille 79
** [[Escadrille 80]]
** [[Escadrille 81]]
** [[Escadrille 82]]
** [[Escadrille 83]]
** [[Escadrille 84]]
** [[Escadrille 85]]
** [[Escadrille 86]]
** [[Escadrille 87]]
** [[Escadrille 88]]
** Escadrille 89
** [[Escadrille 90]]
** Escadrille 91
** [[Escadrille 92]]
** [[Escadrille 93]]
** [[Escadrille 94]]
** [[Escadrille 95]]
** [[Escadrille 96]]
** [[Escadrille 97]]
** Escadrille 98
** Escadrille 99
** [[Escadrille 100]]
** [[Escadrille 102]]
** [[Escadrille 103]]
** [[Escadrille 112]]
** [[Escadrille N.124|Escadrille 124]] better known as the [[Lafayette Escadrille]]
** [[Escadrille SPA.124]] (''Jeanne d'Arc'')
** Escadrille 150
** [[Escadrille 151]]
** [[Escadrille 152]]
** [[Escadrille 153]]
** [[Escadrille 154]]
** [[Escadrille 155]]
** Escadrille 156
** Escadrille 157
** Escadrille 158
** [[Escadrille 159]]
** Escadrille 160
** Escadrille 161
** [[Escadrille 162]]
** [[Escadrille 163]]
** Escadrille 164
** Escadrille 165
** Escadrille 166
** [[Escadrille 167]]
** Escadrille 168
** Escadrille 169
** [[Escadrille 170]]
** Escadrille 171
** Escadrille 173
** [[Escadrille 175]]
** [[Escadrille 313]]
** [[Escadrille 314]]
** [[Escadrille 315]]
** [[Escadrille 412]]
** [[Escadrille 442]]
** [[Escadrille 461]]
** [[Escadrille 462]]
** [[Escadrille 463]]
** [[Escadrille 464]]
** [[Escadrille 466]]
** [[Escadrille 467]]
** [[Escadrille 469]]
** [[Escadrille 470]]
** [[Escadrille 471]]
** [[Escadrille 472]]
** [[Escadrille 506]]
** [[Escadrille 507]]
** [[Escadrille 523]]
** [[Escadrille 531]]
** [[Escadrille 561]]
** [[Escadrille Lafayette]]
* [[Aéronavale|''Aéronautique Navale'']]
;{{flag|Greece|old}}
* [[Hellenic Air Force]]
;{{flag|Kingdom of Italy}}
* [[Corpo Aeronautico Militare]]
;{{flag|Empire of Japan}}
* [[Imperial Japanese Army Air Service]]
;{{Flag icon|Poland}} [[Second Polish Republic]]
* [[Polish Air Force]] (Postwar)
;{{flag|Romania}}
*[[Romanian Air Corps]] (Postwar)<ref>{{cite web|title= Modelism International - Spad Vii-Xiii en Romania PDF|language=ro-RO|url= https://pdfslide.net/documents/modelism-international-spad-vii-xiii-en-romania-pdf-56852817437c6.html/}}</ref>
;{{flag|Russian Empire}}
* [[Imperial Russian Air Service]]
;{{flag|Kingdom of Serbia}}
* [[Serbian Air Force and Air Defence|Serbian Air Force]]
;{{URS}}
* [[Soviet Air Force]] – Taken over from the Imperial Russian Air Force.
;{{Flag icon|Thailand}} [[Rattanakosin Kingdom|Siam]]
*[[Royal Thai Air Force|Royal Siamese Aeronautical Service]] – Locally designated '''B.Kh.3''' ({{langx|th|บ.ข.๓}}).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thai Military Aircraft Designations |url=https://designation-systems.net/non-us/thailand.html |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=designation-systems.net}}</ref>
;{{Flag icon|Spain|1785}} [[Kingdom of Spain (1874–1931)|Kingdom of Spain]]
* [[Spanish Air Force]]
;{{TUR}}
* [[Turkish Air Force]]
;{{Flag icon|United Kingdom}} [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]]
* [[Royal Flying Corps]]<ref name="Bruce RFC p561-564">Bruce 1982, pp. 561–564.</ref>
** [[No. 19 Squadron RAF|No. 19 Squadron RFC]] – One aircraft
** [[No. 23 Squadron RAF|No. 23 Squadron RFC]] – December 1917 – May 1918.
;{{Flag|United States|1912}}
* [[United States Army Air Service]]
** [[13th Aero Squadron]]
** [[22nd Aero Squadron]]
** [[27th Aero Squadron]]
** [[28th Aero Squadron]]
** [[49th Aero Squadron]]
** [[93rd Aero Squadron]]    [[File:13th Aero Squadron - SPAD S XII.jpg|thumb|A SPAD S.XII of the [[13th Aero Squadron]], November 1918.]]
** [[94th Aero Squadron]]
** [[95th Aero Squadron]]
** [[103rd Aero Squadron]]
** [[139th Aero Squadron]]
** [[141st Aero Squadron]]
** [[147th Aero Squadron]]
** [[213th Aero Squadron]]
;{{URY}}
* [[Uruguayan Air Force]]

==Surviving aircraft==

===Belgium===
* SP49 – on static display at the [[Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History]] in [[Brussels]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Societe Pour lAviation et ses Derives (SPAD)XIII, c/n SP-49|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=12416|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=11 May 2017}}</ref>

===France===
* S4377 – airworthy with the Memorial Flight Association in [[La Ferté-Alais|La Ferté-Alais, Île-de-France]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Spad XIII C1|url=http://memorial.flight.free.fr/SpadXIIIuk.html|website=Memorial Flight|access-date=11 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Immatriculation des aéronefs [F-AZFP]|url=http://www.immat.aviation-civile.gouv.fr/immat/servlet/aeronef_detail.html?CTRL_ID=10140374_29f1c9d8&CTX=1SClBX5OUYd-XxNswFhPUOgpj00LpSW0HQc5sOIvrT6biBaXXSsXDON051zh1mnPWqGC00aO02cnlOMH6OMDqRt9900bqQ79bSsXlR6HuS3z00000000CTmW0000G00000NG01aHFKrz9H7Do015gONPXBcnXRcSkIMvqPMTbSXBYeAJtWOSu0W01IG05Tc5iTMLuSW0GQc5sOIviOMvdBavrRM9bSeQibHqBbE2B0W00U70005LwU000|access-date=12 May 2017|language=fr}}</ref>
* S5295/S15295 – on static display at the Musée de la Grande Guerre du pays de Meaux, on loan from the [[Musée de l'air et de l'espace]] in [[Paris, Île-de-France]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Societe Pour lAviation et ses Derives (SPAD)XIII, s/n S5295 RAF, c/n S5295|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=14711|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=11 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=SPAD XIII C1 n° 15295 Code S-5295 - Museum of the Great War - Meaux (77) -|url=http://www.pyperpote.tonsite.biz/listinmae/index.php/les-disparus-du-musee/les-disparus-du-musee-mais-toujours-la/563-spad-xiii-c1-n-15295-code-s-5295-musee-de-la-grande-guerre-meaux-77|access-date=30 June 2024|language=fr}}</ref>

===United States===
* S7689 ''Smith IV'' – on static display at the [[National Air and Space Museum]] in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Spad XIII "Smith IV"|url=http://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/spad-xiii-smith-iv|website=Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum|access-date=11 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Societe Pour lAviation et ses Derives (SPAD)XIII, s/n 7689|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=6978|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=12 May 2017}}</ref>
* S16594 – on static display at the [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]] in [[Dayton, Ohio]]. It is painted to represent [[Eddie Rickenbacker]]'s aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|title=SPAD XIII C.1|url=https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/197399/spad-xiii-c1/|website=National Museum of the US Air Force|access-date=11 May 2017|date=7 April 2015}}</ref>
* S15155 – on static display at [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport]] 44th Street Sky Train Station in [[Phoenix, Arizona]]. Includes parts from three different aircraft<ref name=Skytamer>{{cite web|title=SPAD XIII at Sky Harbor International|url=http://www.skytamer.com/6.1/AZ/Phoenix,SkyHarbor.html|access-date=5 March 2019|work=Skytamer}}</ref> and is painted to represent a SPAD XIII flown by [[Frank Luke]].{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

==Specifications (SPAD S.XIII)==
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=French Aircraft of the First World War<ref name=Davilla1997p509>Davilla, 1997, p.509</ref>
|prime units?=met<!-- imp for US and UK pre-metrification aircraft, met(ric) for all others. REQUIRED-->
|crew=1
|length m=6.25
|span m=8.25
|span note= late examples had a span of {{cvt|8.08|m}}
|height m=2.60
|wing area sqm=21.11
|wing area note= late examples had a wing area of {{cvt|20.2|sqm}}
|empty weight kg=601.5
|gross weight kg=856.5
<!-- Powerplant -->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Hispano-Suiza 8]]Ba, Bb or Bd
|eng1 type=Water cooled 8-cylinder vee-type
|eng1 hp=200
|prop blade number=2
|prop name=
|prop dia m=
<!-- Performance -->
|max speed kmh=211|max speed note= at {{cvt|1000|m}}
**{{convert|208.5|km/h|mph kn|abbr=on}} at {{cvt|2000|m}}
**{{convert|205.5|km/h|mph kn|abbr=on}} at {{cvt|3000|m}}
**{{convert|201|km/h|mph kn|abbr=on}} at {{cvt|4000|m}}
**{{convert|190|km/h|mph kn|abbr=on}} at {{cvt|5000|m}}
|range km=
|endurance=2 hours
|ceiling m=6800
|time to altitude=<br />
**2 minutes 20 seconds to {{cvt|1000|m}}
**5 minutes 17 seconds to {{cvt|2000|m}}
**8 minutes 45 seconds to {{cvt|3000|m}}
**13 minutes 5 seconds to {{cvt|4000|m}}
**20 minutes 10 seconds to {{cvt|5000|m}}
|wing loading kg/m2=40
<!-- Armament -->
|guns= 2 × {{cvt|.303|in|2}} [[Vickers machine gun]]s or on USAS Examples, 2 × [[M1895 Colt–Browning machine gun#World War I|Marlin M1917 or M1918]] machine guns
|bombs= 4 × {{cvt|25|lb}} [[Cooper bombs]]
}}

==See also==
{{Aircontent
|related=
* [[SPAD S.VII|S.VII]]
* [[SPAD S.XI|S.XI]]
* [[SPAD S.XII|S.XII]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Ansaldo A.1 Balilla]]
* [[Fokker D.VII]]
* [[Morane-Saulnier AF]]<!--built to same competition-->
* [[Morane-Saulnier AI]]<!--built to same competition-->
* [[Nieuport 28]]<!--built to same competition-->
* [[Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5]]a
* [[Salmson 3]] C.1
* [[Sopwith Camel]]
|see also=
* [[Early Bird Spad 13]], a homebuilt replica of the SPAD S.XIII
}}

==References==
===Notes===
{{Reflist|group=nb}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
* Andrews, C.F. ''Profile No 17: The SPAD XIII C.1''. Leatherhead, Surrey, UK: Profile Publications, 1965.
* Bruce, J.M. ''The Aeroplanes of the Royal Flying Corps (Military Wing)''. London: Putnam, 1982. {{ISBN|0-370-30084-X}}.
* Bruce, J.M. "The First Fighting SPADs". ''[[Air Enthusiast]]'', Issue 15, April–July 1981, pp.&nbsp;58–77. Bromley, Kent: Pilot Press. ISSN 0143-5450.
* Bruce, J.M. "Spad Story: Part One". ''[[Air International]]'', Vol. 10, No. 5, May 1976, pp.&nbsp;237–242. Bromley, UK: Fine Scroll.
* Bruce, J.M. "Spad Story: Part Two". ''Air International'', Vol. 10, No. 6, June 1976, pp.&nbsp;289–296, 310–312. Bromley, UK: Fine Scroll.
* Bruce, J.M., Michael P. Rolfe and Richard Ward. ''AircamAviation Series No 9: Spad Scouts SVII–SXIII''. Canterbury, UK: Osprey, 1968. {{ISBN|0-85045-009-8}}.
*{{cite journal |last1=Bruner|first1=Georges|title=Fighters a la Francaise, Part One|journal=Air Enthusiast |date=1977|issue=3 |pages=85–95 |issn=0143-5450}}
* {{cite book|last1=Davilla|first1=Dr. James J.|last2=Soltan|first2=Arthur |title=French Aircraft of the First World War|publisher=Flying Machines Press|location=Mountain View, CA|year=1997|isbn=978-1891268090}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Kudlicka|first1=Bohumir|title=Des avions français en Tchécoslovaquie: les unités de chasse sur Spad |journal=Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire: Tout le monde descende! |date=September 2001 |issue=102 |pages=54–58 |trans-title=French Aircraft in Czechoslovakia: Everyone Goes Down!|language=fr |issn=1243-8650}}
* Maurer, Maurer, ed. ''The U.S. Air Service in World War I: Volume I: The Final Report and a Tactical History''. Washington, D.C.: The Office of Air Force History, USAF, 1978.
* Sharpe, Michael. ''Biplanes, Triplanes, and Seaplanes.'' London: Friedman/Fairfax Books, 2000. {{ISBN|1-58663-300-7}}.
* Winchester, Jim. ''Fighter: The World's Finest Combat Aircraft – 1913 to the Present Day''. New York: Barnes & Noble Publishing, Inc. and Parragon Publishing, 2006. {{ISBN|0-7607-7957-0}}.

==External links==
{{Commons category|SPAD S.XIII}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070306163049/http://www.afa.org/magazine/oct2006/1006classics.pdf Air Force Association Fact Sheet (pdf)]
* [http://www.tapuz.co.il/blog/ViewEntry.asp?EntryId=1300654 Spad S. XIII shown in Belgique maximum card]
* [http://www.usaww1.com/Spad_XIII.php4 Spad XIII in the United States Air Service with pursuit group histories]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140702064303/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=318 The NMUSAF's SPAD S.XIII Page]

{{SPAD aircraft}}
{{Thai fighter designations}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1910s French fighter aircraft]]
[[Category:SPAD aircraft|S.XIII]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1917]]
[[Category:Biplanes]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]