Corgi Aviation Archive Series Die-cast Model

SPAD XIII – S.7714, Captain Robert Soubiran, 103rd Pursuit Squadron, US Army Air Service, France, WWI

1:48 Scale.  Length: 5.1".  Wingspan: 6.6"


Limited Edition

A French-born American citizen, Robert Soubiran felt it was his duty to go fight for the country of his birth at the start of World War I, travelling to France at his own expense, to join the French Foreign Legion. He joined with fellow future Lafayette Escadrille pilots James Bach, Bert Hall, Kiffin Rockwell, Paul Rockwell and William Thaw and served with the 2nd Foreign Regiment in the Battle of Champagne, with the 170th Line Infantry Regiment.

Injured during the fighting in October 1915, Soubiran spent four months recuperating, during which time he applied for and was accepted in the French Service Aeronautique, graduating on October 20, 1916 and joining Escadrille Américaine two days later. Around one year of combat flying later, Soubiran was awarded the Croix de Guerre with Palm for actions covering an attack against German Drachen balloons, where he was credited with his only aerial victory of the war.

He transferred to the 103rd Pursuit Squadron US Army Air Service following America's entry into the war where he continued to fly combat missions, eventually rising to the rank of Commanding Officer. One of the first American nationals to arrive in France in 1914, Soubiran was also one of the last to leave in 1919 after the end of the war having accrued over 400 hours of combat flying

In 1917, after acknowledging the failings of the SPAD S.VII compared to contemporary German fighters, SPAD built the S.XIII. Constructed primarily of wood with a fabric covering, this French biplane had a similar layout to its predecessor but with two Vickers machine guns replacing the single machine gun used on the S.VII, as well as a more powerful engine. The SPAD S.XIII was first flown in April 1917 with deliveries to the French Aéronautique Militaire starting the following month. Despite some performance problems, including poor maneuverability, and controllability at low speeds, the SPAD S.XIII was one of the most capable fighters of World War I.

A total of 8,472 SPAD S.XIIIs were built with orders for around 10,000 more that were cancelled at the Armistice. The S.XIII remained in service with France as a fighter until 1923. Other Allied forces also adopted the fighter, with SPAD XIIIs equipping 15 of the 16 operational U.S. pursuit squadrons at the Armistice.


Corgi is a manufacturer of high quality, pre-built, die-cast display models. Every model is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, using the specifications of the original aircraft or vehicle. This model is made with diecast metal and some plastic components.

This model of a SPAD XIII features: