SPAD

The Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés, commonly known as SPAD, was a French aircraft manufacturer responsible for producing a number of significant fighter aircraft during the First World War. Originally called Société Pour les Appareils Deperdussin, the company was virtually bankrupt before the war when it was rescued by Louis Blériot who changed the name while retaining the initials.

SPAD began by building the "A-series" of pusher two-seat biplanes. In early 1915 SPAD began development of a tractor biplane designated the "S.V" which went into production as the SPAD S.VII. Improvements in the S.VII led first to the S.XII and then to the development of the definitive SPAD fighter, the S.XIII which entered service in May 1917 and equipped French, British and American squadrons. Over 8,000 S.XIIIs were eventually built.

The SPAD was most notably flown in American service by Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker, America's highest scoring ace of WWI with 26 victories (20 aircraft and six balloons). Capt Rickenbacker flew with the 94th Aero Pursuit Squadron, known as the "Hat in The Ring" gang. It was also flown by most French aces, including Georges Guynemer, one of France's most popular pilots.

Taken over by Bleriot just before World War I, SPAD is famous for the SPAD XIII fighter.