Billy Bishop's colourful 60Sqdn SE5 A8936

[macsporran]

The squadron were equipped with Nieuport Scouts until the 11th of July 1917.
They were replaced by the new SE5.
The three fligts had their aircraft painted in Flight colours. (Already mentioned this BTW)
This only lasted a month as on the 26th of August, the SE5 had been replaced with the SE5a version.

That's not quite correct, Mike.
SE5s were never replaced, they were gradually upgraded to SE5a spec and some continued in service right through 1918.

As an example this one, A8936, was delivered to 60Sqdn on 20 July1917 and continued in action flown by Bishop, Horn, and Whiting until force-landed by Lt West-Thompson on 20Sept17. It was then sent to Aeroplane Repair Section Depot 2, hence to Repair Park 2 at the Supply Depot on 1Nov.  After rebuilding it was sent to 68Sqdn on 15Dec17. 68Sqdn RAF became 2Sqdn AFC in January 1918 and this SE5 was subsequently wrecked on take-off by Lt Holden on 22Jan18 and sent to Repair Park 1. Now fitted with an SE5a 200hp engine, it was test flown on 13Mar18 by Lt Statham but hit a bump on take-off and turned on its nose. Finally struck off charge as irrepairable on 25Mar18.

So no mention of SE5s being replaced on 26th Aug17 please - that was merely the date the new solid white disc squadron markings were enforced. I see Les Rogers erroneously states that SE5s were replaced by this date (in his estimable RAF Sqdn Markings of WWI book), which is presumably where you've picked this up - but as you can see from the above, LR was missing the complete picture.
Sandy

[macsporran]

Engine fairings duly installed.
Funny how such a small detail becomes such a big problem, then is solved by a fairly simple solution.
Radiator shutters next.
Sandy

[PrzemoL]

Slowly but surely. Coming together very nicely.

[NigelR]

Well done on persevering with those small but essential details. Coming along very nicely.

[Mike Norris (UK)]

That's not quite correct, Mike.
SE5s were never replaced, they were gradually upgraded to SE5a spec and some continued in service right through 1918.

So no mention of SE5s being replaced on 26th Aug17 please - that was merely the date the new solid white disc squadron markings were enforced. I see Les Rogers erroneously states that SE5s were replaced by this date (in his estimable RAF Sqdn Markings of WWI book), which is presumably where you've picked this up - but as you can see from the above, LR was missing the complete picture.
Sandy

Hi Sandy,
If what you say is accurate then thanks - I stand corrected.
Indeed it was Les Rogers book I 'picked this up' from.
Where did you get your detailed information from?

Mike

[macsporran]

Hi Sandy,
If what you say is accurate then thanks - I stand corrected.
Indeed it was Les Rogers book I 'picked this up' from.
Where did you get your detailed information from?
Mike

Hi Mike
No problem. I recommend the Air-Britain series of "Files". These are available for many British aircraft. For WWI, they cover the SE5, Camel, Pup, DH4/9 and Martinsyde aircraft as well as generic titles on RNAS aircraft, etc.

These contain listings of every batch ordered by Air Ministry, from which supplier, and listing each individual serial with full history of that particular aircraft, its engine, pilots, combats, repairs, struck-off etc. The compilers Ray Sturtivant & Gordon Page have drawn together an incredible amount of detail from all available sources.
(Inevitably some info may be missing. I was recently charting the history, for the local newspaper, of a 1918 presentation SE5a supplied as "Crieff No 2", but could find no record of Crieff No 1 and assumed it must have been a different type. Then a friend on another forum sent me a list of presentation aircraft which included Crieff 1,2 & 3 all SE5as!).

The Files contain these full histories, detailed 1/48 plans, colour profiles and various Appendices. These are the Bibles for the types covered.

I'll scan a couple of pages when I get into the office/den.
PS Also a myriad of WW2 and other types - Lancaster, Hampden, J&K inter-war serials, Hunter, Javelin etc, etc, Search ebay for 'Air Britain File'.
HTH
Sandy
 

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi Sandy,
A great resource, but finding them is nigh on impossible,

Mike

[Rookie]

Great work Sandy,

I still find this an appealing aircraft, especially with this colour scheme.

Cheers,
Willem

[macsporran]

Thanks Willem.

Looking at my earlier attempt at the radiator shutters I decided they were too crude, especially once I added a black wash to spring out the detailwork. So, at least knowing the dimensions were good, I was able to fairly quickly fettle a replacement and colour it up.
So this is added to the front and some markings applied.

This view gives a better indication of the slimmer SE5 nose as compared to a 5a.
Sandy

[KiwiZac]

Great progress Sandy!

[PrzemoL]

Nice replacement!

[NigelR]

Good detail work Sandy, well worth doing. I am liking the leather effect on your coaming and headrest as well.

[AngryJazz]

Great progress! I really like the scheme and how the model is coming together

[macsporran]

Hi Sandy,
A great resource, but finding them is nigh on impossible,
Mike

I see a copy on the Advanced Book Exchange at 42GBP which seems about right
It's at Anita Books in Hereford if you're interested.
https://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?kn=air%20britain%20se5%20file&sts=t&cm_sp=SearchF-_-topnav-_-Results
HTH
Sandy
 

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Thanks Sandy - ordered,

Mike