Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA37910
SPAD S.XIII Diecast Model
USAAS 103rd Pursuit Squadron, S.7714, Robert Soubiran, France, January 1918

1:48 Scale		Length		Width
SPAD S.XIII		5.25"		6.75"

A French-born American citizen, Robert Soubiran felt it was his duty to go and fight for the country of his birth at the start of the First World War, travelling to France at his own expense, to join the French Foreign Legion on his arrival. 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, he spent four months recuperating, during which time he applied for and was accepted into the French Service Aeronautique, graduating on 20th October 1916 and joining Escadrille Americaine 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 position 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 following the end of the war, having accumulated over 400 hours of combat flying.

SPAD S.XIII

© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.

Corgi's 1:48 scale S.XIII models are beautifully made, with simulated fabric surfaces and fine gauge wire used to represent the bracing wires passing through the banded wooden wing struts. Radiator detail is easily seen inside the engine cowling, with simulated vents and separately applied exhaust pipes on each side of the fuselage. A photo-etched metal gun sight sits between two Vickers machine guns, which are mounted in front of a detailed pilot figure and transparent windscreen. The model rests on rolling rubber tires that accurately simulate the gray color that vulcanized natural rubber takes on after prolonged exposure to sunlight.

© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.

Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series

The Corgi "Aviation Archive" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. The vast Aviation Archive range has become the standard by which all other diecast airplane ranges are judged. Each Corgi model is based on a specific aircraft from an important historical or modern era of flight, and has been authentically detailed from original documents and archival library material. Famous airplanes and aviators from both military and commercial airline aviation are all honored.

Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature:

• Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
• Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
• Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
• Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
• Detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.
• Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
• Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.
• Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.