History

The S.E.5 (Scout Experimental 5), was designed for the new 150 hp Hispano-Suiza 8a V8 engine. The prototype made its maiden flight in November 1916. Due to errors in the design of the wing the first two prototypes crashed. The third prototype was modified and soon production started.

The aircraft proofed to be stable, manoeuvrable and strong. It was pone of the fastest aircraft of its time, though it appeared, in comparison to his contemporary, the Sopwith Camel, the lesser in a dog fight.

The S.E.5 had a fixed synchronized  .303 inch Vickers machine gun on the nose plus a Lewis machine gun on the upper wing. Initially there were many problems with the synchronization system, so the Lewis gun was very appreciated by the pilots.

Versions

  • S.E.5: The original version, 77 were built.
  • S.E.5a: Equipped with the improved 200 hp Hispano-Suiza 8B and often a four blade propeller. 5265 examples were built at six plants.
    Some were modified to two seat trainers. As the Hispano-Suiza 8B engine suffered technical problems and difficulties with delivery. Replacing the engine with a 200 hp Wolseley Viper, a licensed version of the Hispano-Suiza 8a solved the engine problems, so this engine was used as standard engine for the S.E.5A.
  • S.E.5b: a more streamlined version with wings of unequal span. Only one example built for research.

 

Technical information
Dimensions:
Length: 6,38 m Wingspan: 8,12 m
Height: 2,9 m Wing area: 22,67 m2
Weights:
Empty weight: 635 kg Max. start weight: 887 kg
Performances:
Max. speed: 220 km/hr Climbing speed: - m/min
Cruising speed: - km/hr    
Range: 483 km or 3 hours Service ceiling: 6705 m
Miscellaneous:
Engine type: One Wolseley W4A Viper rated 200 hp
Crew: One aviator
Armament: One forward firing 7.7 mm Vickers machine gun plus one movable Lewis machine gun; Four bombs of 18 kg each.

 


An aircraft of this type, serial B8485 of RFC no 60 squadron, flown by Lt. Owen Thamer, landed January 6, 1918 between Brielle and Oostvoorne. It was interned as SE214.

R.A.F. S.E.5A B4885 van RFC No. 60 Sq. landde te Brielle op 6 jan. 1918, gevlogen door Lt. Owen Thamer. Ned. registratie SE214.
R.A.F. S.E.5A B4885 landed near Brielle on January 6,  1918. It was interned and received LVA serial SE214.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
R.A.F. S.E.5A SE214, ex B4885 op Soesterberg. Links achter.
R.A.F. S.E.5A SE214, ex B4885 at Soesterberg.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
R.A.F. S.E.5A SE214, ex B4885 op Soesterberg. Rechts voor.
R.A.F. S.E.5A SE214, ex B4885 at Soesterberg.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
R.A.F. S.E.5A SE214, ex B4885 op Soesterberg. Rechts voor. Rompneus.
R.A.F. S.E.5A SE214, ex B4885 at Soesterberg.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

 


Serial RFC serial Date in service Date out of service Notes
SE214 B4885 06-01-1918    

 


1/72nd Scale

Kits

  • Encore
    • Kit 72007: Se5A
  • Pegasus
    • Kit 2025: RAF SE5 (Early)
  • Revell
    • Kit 04108 / 04323 / 04061: Injection moulded kit of a SE.5A
  • Roden
    • Kit 045: RAF SE5a Wolseley Viper
    • Kit 023: RAF SE5a Hispano Suisa

A model of the RF Se-5A, built by Peter Banis.

RAF_SE5A PBanis 14 RAF_SE5A PBanis 13 RAF_SE5A PBanis 11 RAF_SE5A PBanis 10 RAF_SE5A PBanis 9 RAF_SE5A PBanis 4 RAF_SE5A PBanis 2 RAF_SE5A PBanis 4 RAF_SE5A PBanis 3 RAF_SE5A PBanis 1

 

Modelling add-on

  • Aeroclub
    • Kit E421: Beardmore (RAF SE5a)
  • Part Etchings
    • Kit S72-206: Detailset RAF Se5a (Roden)

Decals

  • Blue Rider
    • Set BR212: Decalset voor verschillende Nederlandse vliegtuigen zoals een SE.5A LA49

1/48th Scale

Kits

  • Blue Max
    • Kit 112: RAF SE5a
  • SMER
    • Kit 0804: RAF SE5a
  • Roden
    • Kit 419: RAF SE5a Hispano Suisa
    • Kit 416: RAF SE5a

Modelling add-on

  • Airwaves
    • Kit 4849: Detailset RAF SE5a
  • Master Casters
    • Kit 48015: RAF SE5a Cockpit Coaming and Palmer Cord Aero Tyres (Roden)
    • Kit 48016: RRAF SE5a radiator and propeller Type B (Roden)
    • Kit 48014: RAF SE5a radiator and propeller (Roden)
  • Part Etchings
    • Kit S48134: Detailset RAF Se5a (Roden)

Decals

  • --
    • Set --: --

 


Scheme Colour name FS-nummer BS-nummer Humbrol XtraColor Vallejo Model Color Vallejo Model Air
Standard#1 Fuselage PC10     108 X144    
Wings Doped linen     121 X105 70.819 71.028
Wooden and metal parts Khaki varnish OP7     108 X144    

Check www.paint4models.com for an extensive conversion table with lots of colour and paint systems.

 


Literature.

Nederlandse Militaire Luchtvaart in Beeld. deel 1. Hugo Hooftman Pag. 29 1977 Uitgever: Europese Bibliotheek, Zaltbommel
Vintage Warbird no 1 The Royal Flying Corps in worldwar One Rimell, Raymond Laurence Pag. 46 - 53 1987 Uitgever: Arms and Armour Press, Poole, Dorset
KLu Vliegtuigen: De vliegtuigen van de Koninklijke Luchtmacht vanaf 1913 Wim Schoenmaker & Thijs Postma Pag. 23 1987 Uitgeverij De Alk, Alkmaar
Aircraft Archive Aircraft of World War One; Volume 2.   Pag. 24 - 28 1989 Uitgever: Argus Books, Hempsted
Camouflage en Kentekens J.Greuter e.a.   1997 Bonneville – Bergen (NH)
Air Enthusiast no.80 The Historical Aviation Journal: Unexpected Windfalls Bart van der Klaauw Pag. 54 - 59 1999 Uitgever: Key Publishing, Stamford

 

Websites.

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