Being a Newby I have been scouting about the forum and was very pleased to see some images of the SE5a restored here in South Africa.
I may be able to cast some light on the various comment as I was involved with the restoration on part time basis.
The actual aircraft was the last of the 22 SE5a's to survive, after withdrawal from the SAAF it went to a technical college as an instructional airframe where it stayed until the late 1940's when it was transferred to the then new SA National War Museum. It was hung up in the roof of the main hall where it stayed until brought down in the late 1990's. The aircraft was in fair condition but the heat in the roof had dried it out and it was very brittle. Which actual aircraft it is we were never able to establish but could have been F7781 or 3, these numbers were about the last found on SAAF returns.
Most of the wood was retained although it was very weak. At the time the aircraft was overall silver doped which may have helped to preserve it. When originally delivered they flew in standard RAF finish and markings. The SAAF adopted its own four colour roundel which was first applied straight over the RAF roundels, RAF numbers were retained later the SAAF allocated its own numbers but the PC10 finish was retained , at this stage some repainting probably took place. Later silver was applied with metal panels in black. The four colour roundel was retained but later gave way to a RAF type 'A' type roundel but with orange instead of red in the center, the colours of the then SA flag.
During restoration little PC10 was found, the wings where most likely recovered when the silver finish was applied. To save time and money the silver finish was left and the 'new' PC10 applied over it and buff colour to the undersides. The PC10 that was found was very close to the Methuen references on the green side rather than the brownish/olive so that was matched. I will post a few in service photos.
I have about 70 similar photos to those already here too many to add but if anyone would like copies please make contact and i can copy the onto a CD.
Hope this was of use.
Regards
Bruce
