Spad S.VII Photo SHS or Serbian?

[musec04]

Hello All,


Currently for sale on ebay at :


https://www.ebay.de/itm/orig-Foto-Mi...YAAOSwqIldtDcx


is a photo of a Spad S.VII. The surrounding personnel would appear to indicate that the aircraft shown is either a Serbian (spa.523?) machine or belongs to the SHS airforce. Can anyone advise as to which is correct?


Regards,


Clint

[Buckeye30]

Clint. Some good photos and colour here but my Serbo-Croat is a bit rusty !
It says the first two S.VIIs went to Serbia ( N.523) in spring 1917 but they had Nieuports. They kept the French insignia but added unit marking or numbers.
Nick



http://wingsofserbia.com/wp-content/...mple-Pages.pdf

[Buckeye30]

Albin's site includes Franco-Serbian units in the Balkans , start at Escadrille 501. Great site includes colour profiles .
Regards
Nick



http://albindenis.free.fr/Site_escad...es_1_a_500.htm

[musec04]

Hello Buckeye,


Thanks for the two excellent links. A copy of Wings of Serbia on my Christmas present list, I'm thinking. It looks outstanding.The http://albindenis.free.fr site was also helpful. I'm thinking ,looking at the underwing roundels, that the aircraft on the ebay link is probably from a Franco-Serbian Unit. Pity that its not possible to see the tailplane as the large S in Spad would also have helped to confirm.


Thanks once again.


Regards,


Clint

[Buckeye30]

Hi Clint. Judging by the vertical rudder stripes I think you can assume it's still in french insignia.
There was an intermediate Serbian cockade between the Balkan War and new post-1918 style, based on the Serbian officer's cap badge ( this one is Peter I 1915) ie. red inner, blue middle and white outer. Can't remember seeing a photo but there is a Serb decal sheet with one ( a SPAD VII).



Nick
Do you mind my asking your interest in Serbia or this SPAD ?

[musec04]

Hello Nick,


My interest in the Spad and whether it was a Serbian machine or not was just based on a wider interest in WW.I aircraft (although predominantly Germany and A-H). I already had a copy of Srpska avijatika 1912-1918, but couldn't decide whether the ebay photo of the S.VII was serbian or post war without further assistance, hence my question.


Regards,


Clint

[Buckeye30]

Clint. I was wondering whether you had seen this list of SPAD serials (and others) on Albin's site ?
Nick



http://albindenis.free.fr/Site_escad...fabricants.htm

[musec04]

Hi Nick,


Thanks. No I hadn't noticed that site. Tempting, to take a greater interest in french WW.I serial numbers I must admit.No doubt I shall be referring to the site in future.


Regards,


Clint

[musec04]

Hello All,


A better view of the Spad S.VII now at :


https://www.ebay.de/itm/org-Foto-AK-...EAAOSwW89dySX6


Regards,


Clint

[vvkj41]

Hi Clint/Nick,

According to soldiers uniforms it seems that post war period is in question.
It could be either Novi Sad or Niš airfield in Serbia...

Best Regards
Aleks

PS Regarding your interest in WW1 aviation, take a look at https://shop.kagero.pl/en/r-e-p-type...air-force.html