SPAD XIII - S4489, CPT. CHARLES J. BIDDLE, 13TH AERO SQ., 1918
THE AVIATION ARCHIVE
Available: DEC 2007
Aviation Archive represents a myriad of detailed die-cast models designed for the true enthusiast, depicting both military models from famous battles and sky warfare over the last 100 years, and civil aircraft, which have frequented the flight paths of countries worldwide. All models are beautifully re-created to give unprecedented levels of accuracy and authenticity.
Scale: 1:48
Wingspan: 6.75 inches
Length: 5.25 inches
Item Number: AA37901 Price: $39.95
Historical Note: A framed American ace of WWI with several victories, Charles Biddle attended Princeton and Harvard and was an attorney when he joined the French Air Service. After the war ended, he wrote "The Way of the Eagle." Kellner-built SPAD XIII S4489 was assigned to the 13th Aero Squadron on July 7, 1918, and was returned to French control on December 15. Biddle's personal livery included a blue and white radiator cowl - probably in memory of his earlier French unit, SPA73 - and a commander's tricolor band. In addition, there were victory marks in the form of five notches in the Grim Reaper's bloody scythe and four tiny crosses behind the running skeleton. Another cross above the tricolor band represented a patched bullet hole.