After World War I, Major Robert L. Walsh, a member of General William Mitchell's staff, proposed the idea of sending two Spad XIIIs to the United States, one of which was Smith IV. The airplane toured the country as part of Liberty Bond drives. It was then transferred to the Smithsonian Institution by the U.S. Air Service in December 1919. In 1984-1986, it was fully restored and placed back on public display in the First World War aviation gallery.
SPAD XIII Smith IV
The French SPAD XIII displayed here was built in 1918 and was assigned to the 22nd Aero Pursuit Squadron of the U.S. Army Air Service, which was taking part in the Saint-Mihiel offensive. The aircraft entered combat during this campaign, and by the end of the war six victories were scored in it by various pilots.