Seeking Information On Italian SPAD XIII Use

[Old Man]

Hello, Gentlemen!

I have only encountered this site for the first time a week ago. It seems to contain a number of very knowledgeable people.

My enquiry here is only partly related to the Great War. I am researching the SPAD XIII aircraft used by Turkey beginning in 1922. In the spring of that year, twenty such aeroplanes were purchased by Ataturk's forces from an Italian merchant. I would like to know something about their previous use, if any, by Italian forces.

I have read elsewhere that a little more than two dozen SPAD XIII machines were delivered to Italy in 1918, manufactured by Bleriot. The impression I have received is that not more than about a half dozen were used in combat, and that many were never uncrated during the war.

If anyone knows any details about the matter, I would greatly appreciate any further information that could be provided.