Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA37902
SPAD S.XIII Diecast Model
French Air Service SPA3 Escadrille, Georges Guynemer, September 1917 | Limited Edition
3300
Pieces Worldwide |
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| 1:48 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| SPAD S.XIII | | 5.25" | | 6.75" |
French ace of aces, Georges Marie Ludovic Jules Guynemer, was revered by the people of France as the veteran of over 600 air combats. Twice wounded and awarded 26 citations, the recipient of the highest honors for gallantry France could bestow, his official victory total is 53, but it has been suggested that the true figure is closer to 100. A list of his victories reveals a pattern of intense activity interspersed with gaps of sometimes several weeks. Some are accounted for by the periods of inactivity that often happen in war, but constantly on the brink of nervous collapse, others mark Guynemer's absences for treatment of more than merely physical wounds. Given the consideration of a later more enlightened age, Georges Guynemer might have been relieved from combat in March 1916 to live out the balance of his life a much decorated but obscure French airman, with eight victories and a proud record in the service of his country.
Designed by The French aircraft company Societe pour l'Aviation et ses Derives (SPAD) as a refinement of the highly-successful SPAD S.VII, the SPAD S.XIII was first flown on April 4th, 1917. Essentially a larger version of its predecessor with a more powerful V-8 Hispano-Suiza engine, the SPAD XIII was a strongly-built wood and fabric biplane. It could reach a top speed of 135 mph-making it 10 mph faster than the new German fighters. It carried two Vickers machine guns, each with 400 rounds of ammunition, and the pilot could fire the guns separately or together. © Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:48 scale S.XIII models are beautifully made, with simulated fabric surfaces and fine gauge wire used to represent the bracing wires passing through the banded wooden wing struts. Radiator detail is easily seen inside the engine cowling, with simulated vents and separately applied exhaust pipes on each side of the fuselage. A photo-etched metal gun sight sits between two Vickers machine guns, which are mounted in front of a detailed pilot figure and transparent windscreen. The model rests on rolling rubber tires that accurately simulate the gray color that vulcanized natural rubber takes on after prolonged exposure to sunlight.
© Copyright 2003-2019 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Corgi "Aviation Archive" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. The vast Aviation Archive range has become the standard by which all other diecast airplane ranges are judged. Each Corgi model is based on a specific aircraft from an important historical or modern era of flight, and has been authentically detailed from original documents and archival library material. Famous airplanes and aviators from both military and commercial airline aviation are all honored.
Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
- Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
- Detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.
- Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.
© Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
