The Royal Aircraft factory (RAF) Scout Experimental 5 (SE5) was a rival of the Sopwith Camel for the title of the most successful British fighter of the First World War.
It was developed by the Royal Aircraft Factory in response to a call from the Royal Flying Corps for a fighter that was in all respects superior to the enemy’s machines. Powered by the new 150 hp Hispano-Suiza water-cooled engine, the first of three prototypes took to the air on 22nd November 1916. Two of the prototypes crashed during testing but, following appropriate modification, the aircraft entered service with
56 Squadron in March 1917 and deployed to France the following month.
Whilst pilots liked the SE5 for its handling qualities and strength, it soon became obvious that the aircraft was underpowered. As a result, it was
re-equipped with a more powerful 200 hp engine and re-designated the SE5a. It proved less agile than the Camel at lower levels, but was faster and enjoyed a better overall performance at altitude. Armed with only one synchronised .303-in Vickers machine gun, against the Camel’s two, the SE5a also had a wing-mounted Lewis gun that enabled the pilot to fire at enemy aircraft from below as well as from behind. It was also capable of carrying four 18kg Cooper bombs.
From June 1917, further units were equipped with the aircraft but it was not until well into1918 that it became available in the required numbers. 21 British and 2 US squadrons operated the SE5a by the end of the war. It is significant that many of the top Allied aces flew the aircraft – Albert Ball achieved 17 of his 44 victories flying the SE5 and the SE5a was the aircraft of Bishop, Mannock and McCudden.
Only 77 basic SE5s were built before the advent of the SE5a, of which 5,000 were produced.
The only airworthy original SE5a is seen here with the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden and a further four are on static display at museums. Several replicas exist including three airworthy machines built and operated by Vintage Aviator Ltd, New Zealand.
This aircraft was built in 1918 by Wolseley Motors, with construction number 654/2404. It's powered by a Wolseley Viper 200 engine. It was issued to 84 Squadron RAF in France in November 1918 and was in action on 10th November piloted by Major C E M Pickthorn MC, the squadron commander, when he successfully destroyed a Fokker DVII in the vicinity of Chimay in Belgium.
Post war the now surplus aircraft was bought, with others, by Major J C Savage for his skywriting business and, registered G-EBIA. It was used from 1923 until 1928, when it was put into storage.
In 1955 it was recovered from storage in the roof of the Armstrong Whitworth flight shed at Baginton and restored for The Shuttleworth Collection by staff and apprentices at RAE Farnborough, flying again in August 1959 fitted with a geared Hispano Suiza. When the crankshaft of this engine sheared in flight in 1975 the aircraft was rebuilt with a 200hp Wolseley Viper.
Extensively refurbished in 2007, the SE5a is now displayed in the colours and markings of 84 Squadron. It retains the registration G-EBIA.
Filmed at Old Warden Aerodrome during the Shuttleworth Vintage Airshow 2021.
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