SPAD SA.2/4 in Profile

By Bob Pearson

The first SPADs to make a name for themselves were the ungainly, and dangerous looking, pulpit fighters .. the SA1, 2 and 4. In these aircraft the gunner sat in front of the propellor in a small nacelle that was connected to the undercarriage and upperwing. The type saw service with the French and Russian air services, with most going to the latter service. Previoiusly it had been thought that the majority of SAs were in the SA2 range, however recent research shows that there were the following totals built SA1 (11), SA2 (35), SA3 (2), SA4 (59) for a total of 107.

The best reference so far is the five part series in the French magazine Avions, however there is a forthcoming Flying Machines Press book on French two-seaters by Jack Herris which will contain material on the Pulpit fighters as well as the S.XI, S.XVI and S.20.

SPAD A.2   S.19
Unit Unknown
French Air Service
Source: OTF 12/2

Ma Jeanne has been the subject of various kits and illustrations, yet little is known about its service.

SPAD A.2
Unit Unknown
French Air Service
Source: Windsock 5/1

Many French SAs carried tricolour markings in variosu patterns – stripes, chevrons and zig-zags have been noted.

SPAD A.4
2/Lt Bashinsky / 2/Lt Huber
19th Corps Detachment IRAS
September 1916
Source: FMP IRAS book

On September 6th 1916, Bashinsky and Huber assisted Kozakev (in a Ni11) in downing a German two-seater for the SAs first Russian victory. The skull and crossbones was the unit marking of the 19th Corps Detachment. The Vickers gun was definately non-standard as the usual armament was a Lewis or Madsen machine gun.

SPAD A.4
Soviet Air Service
Source: Red Stars 3

As mentioned in Steve Perry's article, one A4 was used by the Bolsheviks.