The SPAD XIII was a French biplane, development of the SPAD S.VII, and it was one of the most capable fighters of the war and one of the most widely employed. The single-engine SPAD XIII was particularly noted for its robust construction and its ability to dive at high speed, features that made it one of the best dog-fighting airplanes of the war. This aircraft was flown especially by French squadrons, but also by British, Italian, Belgian, Russians, and American pilots that were part of American Expeditionary Force.

SPAD XIII (Arthur Coadou)

The French Sous Lieutenant Arthur Marie Marcel Coadou is an ace credited with nine confirmed aerial victories out of his fifteen combat claims. He was born on 7 February 1897. Volunteered for military for the war’s duration, he was sent to aviation training in July 1915, being transferred onward to Etampes for pilot training on September 22nd and receiving the Military Pilot’s Brevet No. 2445 in January 1916.

Coadou was first assigned to 13e Groupe d’Aviation, then to Escadrille C59. On 25 January 1917 he began further training, and on May 4th he was assigned to Escadrille 88 to fly SPAD fighter aircraft. He scored his first verified aerial victory on 19th that month, and he downed a German Fokker D.VII on August 1st. On September 4th he shared a win with François Delzenne, and continued to score victories through the end of the war. By the end of the WW1, Coadou had flown 732 hours and fought in 59 dogfights.

On 28 March 1919, he was appointed a Chevalier in the Legion d’Honneur as recognition of his wartime service. Coadou later served also in World War II.

Each WW1 Wings of Glory® Airplane Pack is a ready–to–play model, painted and assembled, 100% compatible with any other WW1 Wings of Glory game product.

Read more about this fighter in our preview articles focused in its history – Part 1 and Part 2.