SPAD 51C

The SPAD 51C1 was a French mixed biplane fighter from the interwar period. The drive was provided by a single engine Gnome-Rhone Jupiter IV with a power of 420 hp. The prototype flight took place in 1924. The plane entered the line in 1926. In total, about 60 aircraft of this type were built. The deck armament consisted of two 7.7 mm Vickers machine guns. The SPAD 51C1 was commissioned by the French Air Force to search for an aircraft that they completed in line and later replaced the Nieuport-Delange NID.29 aircraft. The new fighter, designed by Andre Herbemont, had great maneuverability, good top speed, and its handling qualities were also rated highly. However, its disadvantages included problems with removing the machine from the corkscrew and the absolutely insufficient general strength of the structure. These shortcomings were revealed with full force in the course of their operation in the French aviation, which resulted in the sale of a large number of them to Poland, where they were replaced by Balilla A.1 machines.