Thanks to Steve Bucher for introducing the designs of Gabriel Panait. This is the second of Gabriels models in my collection and it is a beauty (the first was the Swordfish, also reviewed on this site). Not only does the finished model look great, it was a joy to build.

There is plenty of documentation available on SPADs in general and the SPAD VII in particular. Most of us are more familiar with the later SPAD XIII flown by Eddy Rickenbacker. Differences between the two models include more power, two vs. one .303 Vickers, slightly larger wings and rudder, and improved control surfaces. The Air Force Museum collection contains one example of each type. You can see pictures of them at their web site. The SPAD VII makes an interesting model because of the very different coloring. Early SPADs were shipped to the front in natural finish fabric, which Gabriel fairly well represents on this model. One inaccuracy in the coloring may be the forward fuselage which was metal. At least one of my references shows this area in natural aluminum. The screaming chicken insignia is authentic and was used by SPA 48 from September 1916. I would love to see Gabrial expand this collection to include other VII markings, and Rickenbacker's SPAD XIII.

I used the kit parts except for the propeller, the exhaust pipes and the axle. I added a few extra details in the cockpit to simulate longerons, a cockpit floor, and a control stick. The kit already included a pilot seat and instrument panel. The exhaust pipes were scratch built from four laminations of card, which were cut out then sanded to remove the sharp corners. If I do it again, I'll spend more time to make the pipes a bit more delicate and round. The propeller uses the same technique I described in the DR-1 review. The kit had a complex arrangement for the axle, which I replaced with a piece of wire and a flattened cylinder of card. The wheel covers were reversed and painted to match a design I found in my references for this airplane.

You may have noticed that the windscreen is not yet in place. I haven't decided weather to use the solid kit parts or to use clear acetate. You could also add controls horns to the elevators, rudder, and ailerons and rig them with wire. Overall this was a very enjoyable two week build up. I'm anxiously awaiting Gabrial's next release!

Completed SPAD VII on temporary display by the computer. Also note my lovely daughter (tallest) in the background with her friends.