Spad XIII (oz2042)

About this Plan

Spad XIII. Control line scale model WWI fighter biplane. Wingspan 26-1/2 in. Ohlsson .29 engine shown.

Update 24/9/2026: Replaced this plan with a clearer copy, thanks to dfritzke.

Planfile includes article text.

Quote: "Rickenbacker's SPAD 13. A 26-1/2 inch control-line scale model of a famous World War l plane. For 19 to 33 engines. By Walter A Musciano.

INDIANAPOLIS race car driver and record ord holder, US Ace of Aces during the first World War and self made successful industrialist is the amazing history of Edward Vernon Rickenbacker, often known as Captain Eddie.

During the first World War this ace shot down 21 enemy planes and four observation balloons in combat, more than any other American flier. Although his first victories were won using a Nieuport 28, Captain Eddie's major battles were fought in the famous French Spad 13-C1. Rickenbacker used two airplanes, both identical, resplendent in the white 'number one' signifying the squadron leader and the famous 'hat in the ring insignia' of the renowned 94th Pursuit Squadron. He would return from a patrol in one Spad, and quickly take off again in his other flying steed to engage the enemy in battle. Once he attacked seven enemy planes single handed and shot down two! For this he received the Congressional Medal of Honor.

This great man of aviation was an awesome fighter with nerves of steel. Often he would not fire his guns until he was less than 150 yards from his adversary, a marvelous judge of distance acquired during his pre-war race car days. Rickenbacker always checked his engines personally and examined every bullet that went into his Vickers machine guns. Flying almost seven hours a day at altitudes up to 20,000 feet without oxygen never fatigued this indestructible fighter.

Today Eddie Rickenbacker is president and general manager of Eastern Air Lines and incidentally, this is the only US Airline that has shown a profit for the past fifteen years. He expanded the airline from 22 planes in 1937 to 90 planes today and has doubled the route miles.

The Spad 13 pursuit plane, the type used by Rickenbacker, Luke, Guynemere and other US and French aces, was one of the most famous of allied airplanes. Powered with a 230 horsepower Hispano-Suiza eight cylinder, Vee type, liquid cooled engine this fighter attained a top speed of 135 mph. Armament consisted of two Vickers machine guns synchronized to fire between the propeller blades. The airplane was very rugged and could withstand severe punishment.

This control line model of the famous Spad can be powered with engines from .19 to .33 cubic inch displacement. Although we used a .19 because we were after realistic flying, there is plenty of room in the nose and any larger engine can be installed which will really make the Spad zip along. Built to the scale of one inch equals one foot, our model has a wing area of 235 square inches. An eight inch diameter, 6 inch pitch propeller was used on the prototype model with excellent results. Model weighs 21 oz. ready to fly.

Begin construction by cutting the two hard 1/8 in. sheet balsa fuselage sides to shape. Cement together at the rear at the angle shown in the top view and install the formers securely working forward up to the plywood bulkhead. Our engine was beam mounted and the mounts are cemented in place to the formers securely at this time. Naturally the mount location will vary depending on the engine you intend to use. Bolt the bellcrank in place including the lead out lines..."

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