FRENCH 1915 Mechanical WWI Biplane Airplane Scale Model In Copper and Bronze
An antique 1915 French mechanical model of a biplane.
This is a fabulous antique scale model of an SPAD S.XIII First-World-War fighter biplane, created in France during the early 20th century, back in the 1915-1920. This rare model was masterfully crafted with extremely well proportions and gorgeous details. Has been made up with multiples parts cuts-off of pure copper and polished bronze, which were carefully assembled with many screws and twisted wires. This is more than a simple model; the level of details shows this was made by an extremely talented craftsman.
This plane also has a very interesting feature, in the part of the pilot cockpit seat you can see a wheel on the top and a lever on the right-hand side. This wheel controls vertically the tail flap with two wires and works very well. The lever on the side lowers or raises horizontally the rear flaps with two wires. All four twisted wires are inside the cabin, but only two are still attached so you can only raise the flap. This biplane retains the original three wheels and the six inches propeller, made in polished brass.
This antique French biplane model is in excellent antique condition in keeping with age, exceptional made and should decorate any office or accent your home. This is fitted in the center with a cable and a hook to hang from the ceiling.
The SPAD S.XIII Biplane
The SPAD S.XIII is a French biplane fighter aircraft of the First World War, developed by Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés (SPAD) from the earlier and highly successful SPAD S.VII. During early 1917, the French designer Louis Béchereau, spurred by the approaching obsolescence of the S.VII, decided to develop two new fighter aircraft, the S.XII and the S.XIII, both using a powerful new geared version of the successful Hispano-Suiza 8A engine. The cannon armament of the S.XII was unpopular, but the S.XIII proved to be one of the most capable fighters of the war, as well as one of the most-produced, with 8,472 built and orders for around 10,000 more cancelled at the Armistice. By the end of the First World War, the S.XIII had equipped virtually every fighter squadron of the Aéronautique Militaire. In addition, the United States Army Air Service also procured the type in bulk during the conflict, and some replaced or supplemented S. VIIs in the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), pending the arrival of Sop with Dolphins. It proved popular with its pilots and numerous aces from various nations flew the S. XIII. Following the Armistice of 11 November 1918, which marked the end of the First World War, surplus S. XIIIs were sold to both civil and military operators throughout the world.
Country: France
Date: 1917-1920
Materials: Cut copper, polished bronze, copper screws and bronze twisted wires.
Weight: About 4.5 Pounds (2.05 Kg.).
Measurements: Lenght 381.5 mm, by wingspan 457.75 mm, by height 178.5 mm (15.01 x 18.02 x 7.03 Inches.)
Condition: The overall condition of this French Airplane Model is good. Beside the normal wear, there is no damage to the main body, with some parts are slightly bent but they do not detract This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: D101724RNMB/.1945
