Spad XII "Depersussin steering column"

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

I got to checking out the Spad XII and thought it was interesting in that it had a 37mm Puteaux cannon firing through the propeller hub (they used this thing on some WWI tanks!). Some of the articles mentioned a Depersussin steering column that was used because the breech of teh 37mm was between the pilots legs where the stick normally would be.

So my question is what is this Depersussin thing? Is it something akin to the control setup on a P-38 where it used a yoke similar to bombers except that the column went over to the side and down instead of straight into the floor? I hope this makes some sense, I know its a pretty good run on sentence. Does anyone have any pictures of this or a link to some?

Also is there any 1/48 Spad XII models out there?

Thanks for any info you can provide!

2

I can’t help you with the Depersussin steering column, but i do know testors made a fairly decent 1/48 scale SPAD. It has no interior detail but the exterior is pretty decent. You can probably find one on e-bay.

3

I think you mean Deperdussin. Below is a link about the SPAD 13 (not the 12) but it explains briefly the connection between SPAD and Depperdussin. Don’t mind the Thai language at the beginning of the page as it turns to english as you scroll down. There is also a typo in the script. They spell Bleriot as Blriot. Anyway, hope this helps:

http://www.dmbcrtaf.thaigov.net/aircraft/Fighter/spad1/spad.htm

Curiously, I have an original Deperdussin pilots handbook from 1904 or something, but it’s printed in German for German pilots! Unfortunately I don’t have it at hand to look at any pics.

You may be on the right track though about the offset column thing.

stinger

4

Here you go:

http://www.theaerodrome.com/aircraft/france/spad_xii.html

This may not tell you anything more than you already know, but it’s a try.

stinger

5

This is the Deperdussin in the Shuttleworth Collection:
http://www.airmuseumsuk.org/Shut030504/1024/pages/126%20Deperdussin%20cockpit.htm

I’ve also seem some (other) forum discussions that talk about side-mounted aileron and elevator wheels in various a/c, but couldn’t find any photos or drawings.
Greg

6

As I understand it, yes, the Deperdussin control column used in the Spad 12 was similar to the P-38 except that the steering wheel was mounted on an upside down U-shaped column, completely enclosing the pilot’s legs.

See this page for a good side view drawing:

http://www.wwi-models.org/Photos/Fre/SPAD12/

This arragement was necessary for the pilot to have access to the breech of the cannon. It was a single shot and needed to be reloaded by hand after each shot. There was a rack of 12 (I think) shells in the cockpit.

Regards,