Blériot-SPAD S.61
| S.61 | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | Fighter |
| Manufacturer | Blériot, and CWL/PZL under licence |
| Designer | André Herbemont |
| Primary users | Polish Air Force |
| Number built | ca. 350, plus 30 built under licence in Poland |
| History | |
| First flight | 6 November 1923 |
The Blériot-SPAD S.61 was a French fighter aircraft developed in 1923. Designed by André Herbemont, the S.61 was a conventional biplane, abandoning the swept upper wing used by Herbemont in several previous designs. The prototype S.61 was evaluated by the French Air Force alongside the S.51 as a potential new fighter, but like its stablemate, was rejected. The Polish Air Force (which had also purchased the S.51) was impressed enough to order 250, as well as purchase licences for local production. The Romanian Air Force also ordered 100 aircraft. About 30 were built in Poland, by the CWL (Centralne Warszaty Lotnicze - Central Aviation Workshops, a predecessor of PZL).