Serial Number Needed

[Michael]

I need the serial number for the SPAD XIII flown by Adjt. Gauthier of SPA 80, when he was killed September 16, 1918 in a collision. I'm hoping it might be in The French Air Service War Chronology by Bailey and Cony, but I don't have access to a copy.

[Rick]

Not there, sorry. Further Bailey and Cony give the date of his loss as 15 September 1918, FWIW. R.

[Michael]

Not there, sorry. Further Bailey and Cony give the date of his loss as 15 September 1918, FWIW. R.

Hmm. That doesn't tally with what Christophe gave me about cousin Antonin:

-Caporal, came to N 80 on 6 April 1917 from the GDE (Groupe des Divisions d'Entraînement – new pilots were usualy sent to this unit before being sent to the front. He was probably with pilot schools until that). -Promoted Sergent 21 May 1917. Left N 80 on 16 October 1917 to Hospital for convalescence. -Returned to Spa 80 on 10 March 1918 (N 80 had became Spa 80 upon re-equipment with Spad fighters during the second part of October 1917).

-Promoted Adjudant 20 August 1918.
Killed in accident on 16 September 1918, in a mid-air collision with a new member of Spa 80 : Lieutenant Jean Fieschi (not harmed).


Also, there is a problem with the name Bailey and Cony give - Charles Gauthier:

Christophe gives the details of the only Charles Gauthier, and they aren't those of my cousin.

[Michael]

Can anyone point me to a source for SPAD serials?

A check of my scan tells me that the first digit is a 3.

[Immo_Frese]

Michael,

C&C USA 13/4 lists a catalog of Spad serial numbers in the article "Project Butterfly" by Toelle, Hastings & Hardesty. Unfortunately I did not find Gauthier...but of course I could have overlooked him.

Immo

[Michael]

Thanks, Immo. Even if I had a list of SPAD XIIIs serving with SPA 80 that would be a start.

I'm still hopng that with a little "photo magic" I might be able to read the serial once i find my original, but the tonal values between the black and red may rule this out.

Hi Micheal,

I found Adj Charles Gauthier listed in the casualties for September 15, 1918, not on the 16th. It states that he collided in mid-air with Lt. Feschi, also of Spa 80, and was killed. Lt. Feschi landed safely. Sorry, there is no mention of his Spad's serial number.

regards

[Michael]

I have posted several pictures in the Models section under "1/32nd SPAD XIII wet-transfers by FCM". They show a side view and a front 3/4 view.

Sorry Rick for repeating what you already told Michael. Somehow I got my wires crossed and thought I was the first one to post. I think I need a
nap!

regards

[StephenLawson]

Greetings Michael: Try to contact Jon Guttman, editor of Military History magazine. He is wise in all things French especially Escadrilles and machines they used.