Barnett on Aviation History and Modeling: Late-war SPAD XIII

The SPAD XIII was one of the most remarkably effective fighter aircraft of the First World War - superior to the Nieuport that it replaced, and at least as effective as the Camel and SE5 fielded by the Royal Flying Corps. While conventional wisdom asserts that the Fokker D-VII was the pre-eminent operational fighter of that war - and in this case, "conventional wisdom" might just be right - the SPAD XIII was able to hold its own in aerial combat, right up to the end of the war. The SPAD XIII - an upgraded and upgunned version of the SPAD VII - served in combat with the air forces of France, Great Britain, the USA, Italy, Belgium - and, after the war, with the newly-born states of Poland and Czechoslovakia.

Eduard has been creating some remarkable World War I fighter aircraft - word on the street is that they've done all in this area that they intend to do - but before they end the series, they've just released the late-version of the SPAD XIII in 1/48th Scale. In addition to several beautifully-molded sprues of light brown plastic, the kit comes complete with some exquisite decals (for several versions), as well as PE and masks for the limited clear part(s). The PE includes gunsights, perforated engine screens, pre-colored instruments - as well as seat belts that add much to the overall appeal of the cockpit.

I've built and reviewed maybe a couple-dozen Eduard kits over the years - I still can't get over the remarkable quality and attention to detail that Eduard provides. And like all of the best professionals, they make it look easy. If you like lots of wings and lots of wires, you'll like the Eduard SPAD XIII.