Blériot-SPAD S.81

The Blériot-SPAD S.81 was a French fighter aircraft developed in 1923 to a requirement by the French Air Force. It was flown competitively against the Dewoitine D.1 and was selected over that aircraft due to the Dewoitine's more radical design, leading to an order for 80 aircraft. The S.81 was a single-bay biplane of conventional configuration with I-shaped interplane struts and lacking Herbemont's usual swept upper wing. It featured a wooden fuselage of monocoque construction and metal wings skinned in fabric. Production versions differed from the prototypes in having a lengthened fuselage and larger tail fin.

Variants

S.81.01

two prototypes, powered by a 220 kW (300 hp) Hispano-Suiza 8Fb V-8 engine. The second aircraft was used for static tests only

S.81/1

production version, powered by a 220 kW (300 hp) Hispano-Suiza 8Fb V-8 engines, designated S.81 C.1 (S.81 Chasseur - single-seater) in air force service.

S.81bis

single example of racer version developed for the Coupe Michelin race. Performance poor.

S.81/2

single machine to evaluate alternative radiator design

S.81/3

single machine to evaluate alternative radiator design

S.81/4

single machine to evaluate wooden wing design

S.81/6

racer converted from the S.81-bis

Operators

 France

• French Air Force
  • 2ème Fighter Regiment

Specifications (S.81/1)

General characteristics

• Crew: one pilot
• Length: 6.40 m (21 ft 0 in)
• Wingspan: 9.61 m (31 ft 6 in)
• Height: 2.90 m (9 ft 6 in)
• Wing area: 30.0 m² (323 ft²)
• Empty weight: 846 kg (1,865 lb)
• Gross weight: 1,266 kg (2,791 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Hispano-Suiza 8Fb V-8 inline engine, 224 kW (300 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 240 km/h (149 mph)
• Range: 500 km (311 miles)
• Service ceiling: 7985.8 m (26,200 ft)
• Rate of climb: 6.0 m/s (1,180 ft/min)

Armament

• 2 × fixed, forward-firing .303 Vickers machine guns

See also

Related lists

• List of Interwar military aircraft

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to SPAD.

• Taylor, John W. R., and Jean Alexander. "Combat Aircraft of the World" New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1969 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 68-25459 (Pg.130-131)
• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 164. 
• World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing. pp. File 890 Sheet 42–43. 
• aviafrance.com