SPAD S.VII [SEP] manufacturer
SPAD S.VII
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,
. French flying ace Georges Guynemer personally lobbied for an improved version of the S.VII, telling the SPAD designer Louis Béchereau that "The 150 hp SPAD is not a match for the Halberstadt ... More speed is needed." An initial and quick solution to the problem was to increase the compression ratio of the Hispano-Suiza engine, which increased its power to to provide for significantly improved performance, allowing the SPAD S.VII to remain competitive for the time being.
Spanish manufacturer Hispano-Suiza were already in the process of developing