OVERVIEW
The cannon-armed SPAD S.XII was produced in only 300 examples with many of these reserved for experienced pilots.
The cannon-armed SPAD S.XII was produced in only 300 examples with many of these reserved for experienced pilots.
YEAR: 1917
STATUS: Retired, Out-of-Service
MANUFACTURER(S): Societe Pour l'Aviation et ses Derives (SPAD) - France
PRODUCTION: 300
OPERATORS: France; Imperial Russia; Serbia; United Kingdom; United States; Yugoslavia
SPECIFICATIONS
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the SPAD S.XII model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the SPAD S.XII model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
CREW: 1
LENGTH: 21.00 feet (6.4 meters)
WIDTH: 26.25 feet (8 meters)
HEIGHT: 8.37 feet (2.55 meters)
WEIGHT (EMPTY): 1,294 pounds (587 kilograms)
WEIGHT (MTOW): 1,947 pounds (883 kilograms)
ENGINE: 1 x Hispano-Suiza HS 8Bc engine developing 220 horsepower OR 1 x Hispano-Suiza HS 8Bec engine developing 220 horsepower.
SPEED (MAX): 126 miles-per-hour (203 kilometers-per-hour; 110 knots)
RANGE: 217 miles (350 kilometers; 189 nautical miles)
CEILING: 22,474 feet (6,850 meters; 4.26 miles)
RATE-OF-CLIMB: 1,090 feet-per-minute (332 meters-per-minute)
ARMAMENT
STANDARD:
1 x 7.7mm Vickers machine gun
Some with HS 8Bec engines featured a 1 x 37mm Puteaux cannon mounted between the cylinder banks.
STANDARD:
1 x 7.7mm Vickers machine gun
Some with HS 8Bec engines featured a 1 x 37mm Puteaux cannon mounted between the cylinder banks.
VARIANTS
Series Model Variants
• S.XII - Base Series Designation
Series Model Variants
• S.XII - Base Series Designation
HISTORY
Detailing the development and operational history of the SPAD S.XII Single-Seat, Single Engine Biplane Fighter Aircraft. Entry last updated on 1/16/2019. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
Detailing the development and operational history of the SPAD S.XII Single-Seat, Single Engine Biplane Fighter Aircraft. Entry last updated on 1/16/2019. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
French flying ace Georges Guynemer pushed the idea of a cannon-armed fighter plane after his experiences in aircraft such as the SPAD S.VII. This led the Societe Pour l'Aviation et ses Derives (SPAD) company to develop such a system. The follow-up design came to be known as the S.XII (or S.12) and featured a 37mm cannon along with its standard single machine gun armament.
Externally, the SPAD S.XII looked every bit as a further development of the SPAD S.VII model. Due to the extra weight imposed on the airframe by the new cannon armament, the fuselage was lengthened over that of the S.VII. A Hispano-Suiza engine was once again used by SPAD and consisted of the 8Bc or 8Bec types, each offering 220 horsepower. What made the 8Bec unique was that the 37mm cannon could be nestled between the cylinder banks. Subtle changes to the wings were also necessitated by the increase in weight.
First flight for the SPAD S.XII was achieved on July 5th, 1917 with limited production examples following. The system proved a handful for the inexperienced but lethal in the hands of a proven military aviator. As the cannon system extended into the cockpit, the aircraft was not controlled through a traditional flight stick. Additionally, reloading the cannon while flying the plane added another responsibility while in-flight. The standard single 7.7mm Vickers machine gun remained a part of the offensive toolbox for the S.XII, a carry-over from the S.VII design.
Though the cannon-mounted SPAD S.XII's initially proved successful, they really required an experienced pilot at the controls of both aircraft and armament. With more and more resources being dedicated to the already proven S.VII and S.XIII designs, the S.XII was limited to a mere 300 production examples and, as such, the system never equipped an entire unit. In any case, the idea of a cannon-armed aircraft was intriguing and perfected to the extreme in the Second World War and beyond.
Like the SPAD S.VII before it and the SPAD S.XIII after it, the SPAD S.XII was designed by Louis Bechereau.
Externally, the SPAD S.XII looked every bit as a further development of the SPAD S.VII model. Due to the extra weight imposed on the airframe by the new cannon armament, the fuselage was lengthened over that of the S.VII. A Hispano-Suiza engine was once again used by SPAD and consisted of the 8Bc or 8Bec types, each offering 220 horsepower. What made the 8Bec unique was that the 37mm cannon could be nestled between the cylinder banks. Subtle changes to the wings were also necessitated by the increase in weight.
First flight for the SPAD S.XII was achieved on July 5th, 1917 with limited production examples following. The system proved a handful for the inexperienced but lethal in the hands of a proven military aviator. As the cannon system extended into the cockpit, the aircraft was not controlled through a traditional flight stick. Additionally, reloading the cannon while flying the plane added another responsibility while in-flight. The standard single 7.7mm Vickers machine gun remained a part of the offensive toolbox for the S.XII, a carry-over from the S.VII design.
Though the cannon-mounted SPAD S.XII's initially proved successful, they really required an experienced pilot at the controls of both aircraft and armament. With more and more resources being dedicated to the already proven S.VII and S.XIII designs, the S.XII was limited to a mere 300 production examples and, as such, the system never equipped an entire unit. In any case, the idea of a cannon-armed aircraft was intriguing and perfected to the extreme in the Second World War and beyond.
Like the SPAD S.VII before it and the SPAD S.XIII after it, the SPAD S.XII was designed by Louis Bechereau.
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Our Data Modules allow for quick visual reference when comparing a single entry against contemporary designs. Areas covered include general ratings, speed assessments, and relative ranges based on distances between major cities.
Relative Maximum Speed Rating
Hi: 150mph
Lo: 75mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (126mph).
Graph average of 112.5 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
LDN
LDN
PAR
PAR
BER
BER
MSK
MSK
TKY
TKY
SYD
SYD
LAX
LAX
NYC
Graph showcases the SPAD S.XII's operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.
Aviation Era
Useful in showcasing the era cross-over of particular aircraft/aerospace designs.
Unit Production Comparison
Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units
Military Market HI**: 36,183 units
300
300
Altitude Visualization
