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The SPAD VII was one of the most important Allied fighters of the First World War, serving with the French from the summer of 1916 well into 1918. It was also used by Britain, the United States, Belgium, Italy and Russia during its two year long military career.
Given that his subject had such a long and varied career, Guttman does a good job of selecting his material. The book is split into four chapters. The first deals with the most famous French SPAD unit, SPA3, "les cigognes" (the Storks), and the combat group built around it. Next, Guttman looks at the events of 1918, by which time the SPAD VII was meant to have been replaced by the SPAD XIII. The third chapter looks at the SPAD VII in British service, and chapter four completes the story with a look at the SPAD VII in allied use.
The text is supported by fifteen pages of colour illustrations and a large number of photographs. Appendices list all French, British, American, Belgian, Italian and Russian units to use the SPAD VII.
Author: Jon Guttman
Edition: Paperback
Pages: 96
Publisher: Osprey
Year: 2001