| Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 | |
|---|---|
_(6736738219).jpg) S.E.5a numberF904,Old Warden Aerodrome, Bedfordshire, England (2009) | |
| General information | |
| Type | Single-seat fighter |
| Manufacturer | various (see text) |
| Designer | |
| Primary users | Royal Flying Corps |
| Number built | 5,205[1] |
| History | |
| Introduction date | March 1917 |
| First flight | 22 November 1916 |
TheRoyal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 is a Britishbiplanefighter aircraft of theFirst World War. It was developed at theRoyal Aircraft Factory by a team consisting ofHenry Folland,John Kenworthy and MajorFrank Goodden. It was one of the fastest aircraft of the war, while being both stable and relatively manoeuvrable. According to aviation author Robert Jackson, the S.E.5 was: "the nimble fighter that has since been described as the 'Spitfire of World War One'".[2]
In most respects the S.E.5 had superior performance to the rivalSopwith Camel, although it was less immediately responsive to the controls. Problems with itsHispano-Suiza engine, particularly the geared-outputH-S 8B-powered early versions, meant that there was a chronic shortage of the type until well into 1918. Thus, while the first examples had reached theWestern Front before the Camel, there were fewer squadrons equipped with the S.E.5 than with theSopwith fighter.
Together with the Camel, the S.E.5 was instrumental in regaining alliedair superiority in mid-1917 and maintaining it for some time, ensuring there was no repetition of "Bloody April" 1917 when losses in theRoyal Flying Corps were much heavier than in theLuftstreitkräfte. The S.E.5s remained in RAF service for some time following theArmistice that ended the conflict; some were transferred to various overseas military operators, while a number were also adopted by civilian operators.
The S.E.5 (ScoutExperimental5) was designed byHenry Folland,John Kenworthy and MajorFrank Goodden of theRoyal Aircraft Factory inFarnborough. It was built around the new 150 hp (112 kW)Hispano-Suiza 8, aV8 engine that, while providing excellent performance, was initially underdeveloped and unreliable. The first of three prototypes flew on 22 November 1916. The first two prototypes were lost in crashes (the first killing the chief test pilot at the Royal Aircraft Factory, Major Frank Goodden, on 28 January 1917) due to a weakness in their wing design. The third prototype underwent modification before production commenced; the S.E.5 was known in service as an exceptionally strong aircraft which could be dived at very high speed – the squarer wings also gave much improved lateral control at low airspeeds.[3]
Like the other significant Royal Aircraft Factory aircraft of the war (B.E.2,F.E.2 andR.E.8) the S.E.5 was inherently stable, making it an excellent gunnery platform, but it was also quite manoeuvrable. It was one of the fastest aircraft of the war at 138 mph (222 km/h), equal at least in speed to theSPAD S.XIII and faster than any standard German type of the period. While the S.E.5 was not as agile and effective in a tightdogfight as the Camel it was much easier and safer to fly, particularly for novice pilots.[4] According to "Dodge" Bailey, the former Chief Test Pilot of theShuttleworth Collection, it had "somewhat similar handling characteristics to ade Havilland Tiger Moth, but with better excess power".[5]
Only 79 original S.E.5 aircraft had been completed prior to production settling upon an improved model, designated as theS.E.5a. The initial models of the S.E.5a differed from late production examples of the S.E.5 only in the type of engine installed – a geared 200 hpHispano-Suiza 8b, often turning a large clockwise-rotation four-bladed propeller, replacing the 150 hp H.S. 8A model. In total 5,265 S.E.5s were constructed by six manufacturers:Austin Motors (1,650),Air Navigation and Engineering Company (560),Curtiss (1),Martinsyde (258), theRoyal Aircraft Factory (200),Vickers (2,164) andWolseley Motors Limited (431).[6]
Shortly following theAmerican entry into World War I, plans were mooted for several American aircraft manufacturers to commence mass production of aircraft already in service with the Allied powers, one such fighter being the S.E.5. In addition to an order of 38 Austin-built S.E.5a aircraft which were produced in Britain and assigned to theAmerican Expeditionary Force to equip already-deployed US Army squadrons, the US Government issued multiple orders to theCurtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company for the manufacture and delivery of around 1,000 S.E.5s to be produced in the United States.[7] However, only one Curtiss-built aircraft would be completed prior to the end of the conflict, after which demand for the S.E.5 had effectively evaporated, production being quickly halted after a further 56 aircraft were assembled using already-delivered components.[7]
At first, airframe construction outstripped the very limited supply of French-built Hispano-Suiza engines and squadrons earmarked to receive the new fighter had to soldier on withAirco DH 5s andNieuport 24s until early 1918. The troublesome geared "-8b" model was prone to have serious gear reduction system problems, sometimes with the propeller (and even the entire gearbox on a very few occasions) separating from the engine and airframe in flight, a problem shared with the similarly-poweredSopwith Dolphin.[8] The introduction of the 200 hp (149 kW)Wolseley Viper, a high-compression, direct-drive version of the Hispano-Suiza 8a made under licence byWolseley Motors Limited, solved the S.E.5a's engine problems and was promptly adopted as the type's standard powerplant.[9] A number of aircraft were subsequently converted to a two-seat configuration in order to serve astrainer aircraft.[10]
The S.E.5b was a variant of the S.E.5 with a streamlined nose and upper and lower wings of different span and chord. The single example, a converted S.E.5a, first flew in early April 1918. It had aspinner on the propeller and a retractable underslung radiator. Its performance was little better than the S.E.5a, with the extra drag of the big upper wing offsetting gains from the more streamlined fuselage. The S.E.5b was not considered for production. In January 1919, it was tested with standard S.E.5a wings and in this form survived as a research aircraft into the early twenties.[11]
The Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 was a conventionaltractorbiplane fighter aircraft. The fuselage was a wire-bracedbox girder structure while the wings were furnished with woodenspars and internalribs. The fuselage was narrower than many contemporary aircraft, which provided the pilot with good all-round visibility.[12] The aircraft had considerable structural strength, which was credited with improving the type'scrashworthiness and survivability. It could also withstandhigh-g manoeuvres and was relatively resistant to battle-damage.[12][8]
Unlike many of its peers, which were highly agile but unforgiving, the S.E.5 was comparatively stable and easy to fly; its stability enabling pilots to more readily fire upon enemies from further away with a greater degree of accuracy. It had a noticeably lower accident rate than comparable aircraft.[13] The exception to its generally stability was an excessive amount of adverseyaw. The yaw could be compensated for by balanced application of theaileron andrudder, whilst adjustment of theelevatortrim made it possible to fly in a 'hands off' manner.[13]
The S.E.5 was powered by various engines, initially adopting aHispano-Suiza 8V8 engine. The Hispano-Suiza engine was advanced for the era, incorporating such features as an aluminium cylinder block with steel liners, dual ignition and forced lubrication that aided cooling; especially compared with contemporaryrotary engines, it had the advantage of being easy to operate by most pilots. An expansion tank for the cooling system was integrated into theleading edge of the upper wing's centre section.[13] One of its greatest advantages over the Sopwith Camel was its superior performance at altitude, making it a much better match for theFokker D.VII when that fighter arrived at the front.[4]
The S.E.5 was armed with a singlesynchronised.303-inchVickers machine gun in contrast to the Camel's two, but it also had a wing-mountedLewis gun fitted on aFoster mounting, which enabled the pilot to fire at an enemy aircraft from below.[8][9] This armament configuration was much appreciated by the pilots of the first S.E.5 squadrons as the new hydraulic-link"C.C."synchronising gear for the Vickers machine gun was unreliable at first. The Vickers gun was mounted on the forward left dorsal surface of thefuselage with the breech inside thecockpit, at a slight upwards angle. Typically, spare magazines for the Lewis gun would have been placed within most of the free space in the cockpit including the forward areas, such as the instrumentation panel.[13]
The standard instrument panel included acompass,altimeter, tachometer, oil pressure indicator, airspeed gauge, radiator temperature dial, fuel air pressure indicator, fuel selector, and air exchange; these were somewhat difficult to view due to their low-set position in the cockpit.[5] According to "Dodge" Bailey, Chief Test Pilot of theShuttleworth Collection, the S.E.5's cockpit was "the best of the bunch from the era".[5] It was set amidships, making it difficult to see over the long front fuselage, but otherwise visibility was good.[4]
Individual in-service S.E.5s would often receive customisations and user-specified tweaks at the request of their pilots.[12] Popular changes included reducing thedihedral of the wings in order to increase its manoeuvrability and the removal of the head fairing to increase the pilot's visibility to the rear.James McCudden, anace pilot and former RFC mechanic, was famous for his prolific fine-tuning of his aircraft in order to produce improved performance from it; McCudden was able to increase the top speed by 9 mph and to raise the service ceiling from the standard 17,000 ft to 20,000 ft. His adaptions included replacing the standard pistons with high compression versions, shortening the exhaust (saving weight and improving exhaust scavenging), and changes to mixture, ignition and other engine settings as well as fitting a salvaged German propeller spinner (which he himself credited as gaining 3 mph alone).[12]
Aviation authors Donald Nijboer and Dan Patterson describe the S.E.5 as "arguably the best British-built fighter of World War I".[8]
In March 1917, the S.E.5 entered service withNo. 56 Squadron RFC, although the squadron did not deploy to theWestern Front until the following month.[14] Everyone was suspicious of the large "greenhouse" windscreens fitted to the first production models. These were designed to protect the pilot in his unusually high seating position, which was in turn intended to improve vision over the upper wing. The squadron did not fly its first patrol with the S.E.5 until 22 April,[15] by which time, on the insistence of Major Blomfield, 56 squadron's commanding officer,[4] all aircraft had been fitted with small rectangular screens of conventional design. The problem of the high seating position was solved by simply lowering it, pilots in any case preferring a more conventional (and comfortable) seating position. No complaints seem to have been made about the view from the cockpit; in fact, this was often cited as one of the strong points of the type.
While pilots, some of whom were initially disappointed with the S.E.5, quickly came to appreciate its strength and fine flying qualities, it was popularly judged to have been underpowered; this failing was addressed by the introduction of the more powerful S.E.5a. In June 1917, the S.E.5a entered service and quickly began to replace the S.E.5.[14] At this time 56 Squadron was still the only unit flying the new fighter; in fact it was the only operational unit to be fully equipped with the initial 150 hp S.E.5 – all other S.E.5 squadrons officially used the 200 hp S.E.5a from the outset – although a few S.E.5s were issued to other squadrons due to an acute shortage of the S.E.5a. Deliveries of the S.E.5a suffered from delays due to a shortage of available engines with which to power the type.[14]
Due to the shortage of aircraft, there was a very slow initial build-up of new S.E.5a squadrons, which lasted well into 1918. Once theWolseley Viper-powered model became plentiful, many more units were re-equipped with the type. By the end of the war, the S.E.5a was employed by a total of 21British Empire squadrons as well as two U.S. units. Many of the top Alliedaces of the Great War flew this fighter, includingBilly Bishop,Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor,Edward Mannock andJames McCudden. Legendary British aceAlbert Ball was initially disparaging of the S.E.5, but in the end claimed 11 of his 44 victories flying it. McCudden wrote of the S.E.5: "It was very fine to be in a machine that was faster than the Huns, and to know that one could run away just as things got too hot."[16]
Sholto Douglas who commandedNo. 84 Squadron RFC which was initially equipped with the S.E.5a, listed the type's qualities as being: "Comfortable, with a good all-round view, retaining its performance and manoeuvrability at high level, steady and quick to gather speed in the dive, capable of a very fine zoom, useful in both offence and defence, strong in design and construction, [and] possessing a reliable engine".[citation needed]
Soon after theArmistice the S.E.5a was withdrawn from RAF service. It was retained for a time in Canada, and in 1921 a Viper-engined S.E.5a was taken to Japan by the British Aviation Mission to theImperial Japanese Navy.[17]
Australia received 35 S.E.5a under the Imperial Gift in 1919, and the type went on to be the newly formed R.A.A.F.’s main fighter type until the late 1920’s.
A number of machines found roles in civilian flying after the war. On 30 May 1922, the first use ofskywriting foradvertising occurred when Cyril Turner, a former RAF officer, spelt out "LondonDaily Mail" in black smoke from an S.E.5a atThe Derby.[18] Others were used forair racing; one such privately owned aircraft won theMorris Cup race in 1927.[19]
An original S.E.5a may be seen at theShuttleworth Collection atOld Warden, England, UK. This aircraft was originally serialF904 ofNo. 84 Squadron RAF, then flew asG-EBIA from September 1923 to February 1932.[26] It was stored between 1933 and 1955, before being restored to a flightworthy condition by staff at theRoyal Aircraft Establishment and then passed onto the Shuttleworth Collection. An extensive refurbishment of this aircraft was performed in 2007. It has been re-registered asG-EBIA, it was first painted asD7000, then asF904.[26]
An original S.E.5e may be seen in theNational Museum of the United States Air Force atDayton, Ohio, USA. The museum acquired the S.E.5e through a donation by the estate of Lt. Col.William C. Lambert, USAF Ret, a First World War ace with 21.5 victories. Lambert flew the S.E.5a as an American member of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Air Force. The Air Force Museum Foundation also helped buy the aircraft. It is painted to represent an S.E.5e of the 18th Headquarters Squadron, Bolling Field, Washington, D.C., in 1925.[27]
Another four original airframes are statically displayed at: theScience Museum, London, UK;Royal Air Force Museum, London, UK;South African National Museum of Military History, Johannesburg, South Africa; and theAustralian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia.[citation needed]
Two full-scale replica S.E.5a aircraft were built byMiles Aircraft in 1965 for use in film making and were transferred to the Irish civil aircraft register in 1967 while the two were employed in flying scenes for the 1966 war movieThe Blue Max.[28]
Three flightworthy reproductions (designated SE5a-1), along with a single static example, were constructed by The Vintage Aviator Limited in New Zealand. According to the group, the reproduction aircraft, which was the company's first project, combined some authentic components, such as the Hispano engines used, with newly-fabricated parts based on original archived drawings.[29]
TheMuseum of Flight inSeattle,Washington, US displays the reproduction SE.5a that Bobby Strahlman and his partners completed for collector Doug Champlin in 1989. This reproduction features one .303 Vickers and one .303-calibre Lewis machine gun, and carries the paint scheme of American ace George Vaughn who served with the Royal Flying Corps. The SE.5 was displayed at Champlin's fighter museum atMesa,Arizona, US until the collection was transferred to Seattle in 2003.[30]
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Data fromSouth African National Museum of Military History[31]The Vintage Aviator[12]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
The Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 has been portrayed, both by original and replica aircraft, in various movies. These includeWings (1927),Hell's Angels (1930),Flying Down to Rio (1933),Crimson Romance (1934),Test Pilot (1939) andThe Aviator (2004).[32] ConvertedStampe et VertongenSV.4 trainer/tourer aircraft were used to portray S.E.5s in the 1976 Anglo-French productionAces High.
The 1971 filmZeppelin makes reference to the use of the S.E.5 as a weapon to defend against the GermanZeppelins that were attacking Britain during theFirst World War. The film, however, is set in the fall of 1915, a full year-and-a-half before the S.E. 5 entered squadron service. The dogfight scene near the film's conclusion features S.E.5a replicas.[32]
| External videos | |
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 Video of a S.E.5 in flight | |
| Archive footage of a taxiing S.E.5a during the Great War | |
| Footage of a preserved S.E.5 performing at an air show |
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
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