Spad VII C1 as flown bt Alberto Lello Portela

[Nuno Andresen]

Hi! Greetings to all of you!

This is my very first post, so let me first salute all aviation enthusiasts around!

I know this is a very long shot, nevertheless I would really like to see if I can solve an enigma.

I would like to create a model of the sole Portuguese Aircraft Ace of all time. Lieutenant Alberto Lello Portela. But as usual comes the ever present doubts:


There were already two illustrations published of his aircraft:

This first in French magazine Avions issue 96




And this other in Osprey Aviation Elite Units Esquadrille Lafayette:



As far as I know there is also this single photograph.





Now comes the question: As both illustrations are so different, is there a single soul who can share more photographs of his aircraft to clear my doubts regarding how it looked back in 1918?


This has to be the longest shot in the history of world wide web! But hope there is an answer in this marvelous community of enthusiasts!


Thank you!

[Kutscha]

Nuno, have you tried this site?
http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/

[Pilot]

It was not strange that pilot have flown few different airplanes so maybe there is case too. So there is no problem at all.

[Kutscha]

Originally Posted by Pilot

It was not strange that pilot have flown few different airplanes so maybe there is case too. So there is no problem at all.

I was going to say that as well Pilot but then I noticed the serial number, S721, is on both images.

[Tom Semenza]

Nuno,

You refer to Lello Portela as an "ace." I have seen him listed with 3 victories. Did he in fact have 5 or more and do you have details on his claims?

Thanks,
Tom