https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Aircraft_Factory_S.E.5
The Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 was a British biplane fighter aircraft of the
First World War.
The first examples reached the Western Front before the Sopwith Camel. Although
it had a much better overall performance than the Camel, problems with its
Hispano-Suiza engine, particularly the geared-output H-S 8B-powered early
versions, meant that there was a chronic shortage of S.E.5s until well into 1918
and fewer squadrons were equipped with the S.E.5 than with the Sopwith fighter.
Together with the Camel, the S.E.5 was instrumental in regaining allied air
superiority in mid-1917 and maintaining it for the rest of the war, ensuring
there was no repetition of "Bloody April" 1917 when losses in the Royal Flying
The S.E.5 (Scout Experimental 5) was designed by Henry Folland, John Kenworthy
and Major Frank Goodden of the Royal Aircraft Factory in Farnborough. It was
built around the new 150 hp (112 kW) Hispano-Suiza 8 a V8 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 F. W. 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
improved lateral control at low airspeeds.
Like the other significant Royal Aircraft Factory aircraft of the war (B.E.2,
F.E.2 and R.E.8) the S.E.5 was inherently stable, making it an excellent gunnery
platform, but it was also quite manoeverable. It was one of the fastest aircraft
of the war at 138 mph (222 km/h), equal at least in speed to the SPAD 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 tight dogfight as the Camel
it was much easier and safer to fly, particularly for novice pilots.
Role
Single-seat fighter
Manufacturer
various (see text)
Designer
Henry Folland / John Kenworthy
First flight
22 November 1916
Introduction
March 1917
Primary users
Royal Flying Corps
United States Army Air Service
Australian Flying Corps Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
Number built
5,205
Only 77 original S.E.5 aircraft were built before production settled on the
improved S.E.5a. The initial models of the S.E.5a differed from late production
Hispano-Suiza 8b, often turning a large clockwise-rotation four-bladed
propeller, replacing the 150 hp H.S. 8A model.
The S.E.5 entered service with No. 56 Squadron RFC in March 1917, although the
squadron did not deploy to the Western Front until the following month. 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, by which time, on the insistence of Major Blomfield, 56 squadron's
commanding officer, 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 universally
held to be underpowered, and the more powerful S.E.5a began to replace the S.E.5
in June.
Specifications (S.E.5a)
General characteristics
Crew: one
Length: 20 ft 11 in (6.38 m)
Wingspan: 26 ft 7 in (8.11 m)
Height: 9 ft 6 in (2.89 m)
Empty weight: 1,410 lb (639 kg)
Loaded weight: 1,935 lb (880 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 1,988 lb (902 kg)
(150 kW)
Performance
Maximum speed: 138 mph (222 km/h)
Range: 300 miles (483 km)
Service ceiling: 17,000 ft (5,185 m)
Armament
Guns: 1x 0.303 in (7.7 mm) forward-firing Vickers machine gun with
Constantinesco interrupter gear
1x .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis gun on Foster mounting on upper wing
Bombs: 4x 25 lb (11 kg) Cooper bombs, two under each lower wing, to be dropped
in 2, 3, 4, 1 order.
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