10.17.2024

Salvaging SPADs

Paul Baer and his SPAD VII
Two of the more prominent Allied fighters during The Great War were the SPAD VII and SPAD XIII, yet they are not valued by Wings of Glory players as their maneuver decks, to put it bluntly, are shite. While both fast for their time, they suffer from a lack of maneuverability, having no broad sideslips or sharp left or right turns, making them less than desirable when facing Central Power planes that are more nimble, such as the Fokker Dr.I and D.VII. SPADs are thought of as being boom and zoom aircraft, or are they? According to the book WW1 Aircraft Performance. written by Anders F. Jonsson (published by the author in 2023), the SPAD XIII had a sustained turn rate comparable to the S.E.5a at 1,000 meters and slightly better than the Fokker D.VIII at the same height. At 5,000 meters the XIII can turn as well as the Sopwith Camel and Nieuport 28, and better than than Fokker Dr.I. 

What does this mean for the SPAD VII? Certainly with its smaller engine and only one gun, it must have been discarded as soon as the SPAD XIII was available. However, that would not be a correct assumption. As late as April 1918 there were more SPAD VII models in service than XIIIs, and some pilots preferred the VII, including men of the United States 103rd Aero Squadron. They chose to keep using the VII model as long as possible due to the engine issues found with the XIII. As well, found on page 23 of Jon Guttman's SPAD VII Aces of World War 1, French ace Andre Henri Martenot mentions that although he had a SPAD XIII available that he would use on group flights, for solo sorties he preferred the slower SPAD VII because it was more maneuverable than the SPAD XIII. 

How do we enhance the SPADs in Wings of Glory? Should the SPAD XIII use the sharp right and left turns found in the N Deck? So does that mean the SPAD VII goes to the F Deck or at least uses the sharp left and right turns found in the F Deck? Perhaps yes, perhaps no. The SPAD XIII did suffer from an slower instantaneous turn rate when compared to most contemporary aircraft - even the Pfalz D.IIIa and Albatros D.Va would jump into a turn faster than the SPAD. But over a full turn the SPAD would show its speed and complete turns faster than most other aircraft of the time. How do we reflect this within the construct of the game? 

Additionally, the data in the book bears out the perception that the SPAD XIII was a great diving and climbing aircraft, climbing faster than most of its contemporaries, due to its inherent strength and stability. The SPAD VII would also have similar properties. One might consider treating both the VII and the XIII in the same manner as the Pfalz D.III and D.IIIa by giving them the High Speed Dive card found in the Werner Voss Pfalz D.III, which states the following:

High Speed Dives: (2019)
  • If this optional rule is in use a Pfalz D.III/D.IIIa can plan an extra stall directly after another stall or a dive, even if they are two steep maneuvers in a row.
  • If the pilot has no ace skills he must draw an A damage card. If there is any special damage symbol the airplane spins out of control and is eliminated.
  • If there is no special damage symbol ignore the card and shuffle back into its deck.
  • If the pilot is an ace, no A card is drawn and the maneuver is safe.
  • In any case if altitude rules are in use when the second stall is executed the airplane loses an altitude level.

10.09.2024

Hat in the Ring's First

A couple of pictures from this small project aimed at recreating the first encounter of the 94th Aero. Obviously there is more work to be completed, like some small paint details and the addition of decals, but I am fairly happy how the planes are turning out. The Nieuport 28s will receive French roundels as they bore on that day in April 1918 in which two Americans from the 94th shot down two Germans (a Pfalz D.IIIa and an Albatros D.Va, both from Jasta 64) over the American airfield. 

The planes are Table Top Flights, the stands and altitude rings are from Rival Sky Games, and I have added blue transparent tape to some of the altitude pegs to help delineate height.


10.08.2024

Belgian Aircraft

While some of the following aircraft might be a tad difficult to find, here are the pre-painted and color printed Wings of Glory planes for the Belgian air force (Aviation Militaire Belge). Some are Ares, some are Nexus, and some are Reduced Aircraft Factory via the now defunct Shapeways. I own most of the following, but still need to add the RAF Strutter, Breguet, and two of the Hanriots to my collection, which should be possible as RAF might have found a new printer for his color printed offerings!

Reduced Aircraft Factory

Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter (4me Escadrille)


Breguet 14A2 (5me Escadrille)


R.A.F. B.E.2c (4me Escadrille)


Sopwith Pup (11eme Escadrille de Chasse)


Hanriot H.D.1 (1ère Escadrille de Chasse)


Hanriot H.D.1 (1ère Escadrille de Chasse)


Hanriot H.D.1 (1ère Escadrille de Chasse)


SPAD VII (5éme Escadrille de Chasse)


Nieuport 23 (5éme Escadrille)


Nexus

Sopwith Camel (1ère Escadrille de Chasse)


R.A.F. R.E.8


Ares

Hanriot H.D.1 (11eme Escadrille de Chasse)