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Royal Aircraft Factory
SE5a, "Scout" |
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During World War I, the British Air Staff
wanted "a single-seat with speed, maneuverability and armament
superior to the enemy." Sopwith came out with the Camel and
the Royal Aircraft Factory designed the S.E.5. The first version
of the S.E. (Scout Experimental) 5 was tested by ace Albert
Ball. He was used to the highly maneuverable, but slow, Nieuport
17, and was being asked to evaluate a large, stable, frumpish looking
aircraft that seemed to wallow in the air. He said, "The
S.E.5 has turned out a dud ... It's a great shame, for everybody expects
such a lot from them ... it is a rotten machine". He was
wrong. The S.E.5 was faster than his Nieuport and provided a very
stable gun platform. Lt. Rhys-Davids shot down Werner Voss,
Richthofen's famous number two ace, and the S.E.5 proved it was a great
plane. It and the Sopwith Camel have been called the best
fighter aircraft of the First World War.
497 were purchased by the U.S. Air
Service. One is one display at the Air Force Museum. |
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RAF SE5a Scout
Premier Series. 1/20th scale. 16.25" wingspan x
12.15" long.
No. ACA6D-PR. Only $249.95
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RAF
SE5a Scout
Deluxe Series. 1.20th scale.
16" wingspan x 12.5" long.
No. ACA6D-DX. Only $159.95 |
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