SE5a Standard Armament

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Grey:
The S.E.5a was rigged with the upper longerons level. This was called in flying position for the purpose of rigging. In this position the the thrust line if the engine was also level. In this position the the center-line of the bores of the Lewis and Vickers machine guns were +5°. In this position the center-line of the stabilizer and elevators were also level. The tailplane trimming handwheel knob was set at 0° in the cockpit.
The front spar of the tailplane was hinged to the last side vertical strut, on both sides of the fuselage. The tailplane rear spar was fitted to a vertical tube with an Acme fast thread that was enclosed with sprocket in a housing on the stern post. A bicycle chain was lead around the sprocket, and on one end of the bicycle chain was fastened a steel cable that ran along side the fuselage to the handwheel in the cockpit. The cable was wrapped around the handwheel, the center being fixed and returned down the rear fuselage to and fastened to the opposite end of the bicycle chain. When the handwheel is turned , it in turn rotates the sprocket which moves the Acme thread up or down, thus changing the angle of attack of the stabilizer, and raises or lowers the nose of the S.E.5a. I hope I did not muddy the water.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

[chip55]

I wonder if profile publications make *good fuel for a weinie roast.
Pass the marshmallows please.

Be Well all
chip55

Dan-San, I'm relying upon you guys for information to build an accurate model... Muddy Waters are part of the process

Chip... I'll bring the Graham Crackers and Chocolate and we can have smores

[stephen]

I'm relying upon you guys for information to build an accurate model... *

As confirmation, I'll second what Dan said re: the 5 degree backset on both guns. Generally, they were set to converge from 50-150 yards depending on the pilot's preference. And the standard armament was one Vickers, one Lewis for the entire war. But for the record, Dan is one of the true experts among us and you are very safe just taking his word for it.

Stephan, believe me I have every intention of milking Dan-San for as much information as I can extract

(Shining Light in Dan-San's eyes... YOU VILL TALK!)

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Grey:
Only if Ursula Undress (Barrett are you there?) sit in my lap and serve me smores too! 8).
Blue skies,
Dan-San

[Shooter]

While the standard armament was set at the factory, perhaps the operational squadrons at the front had other ideas.

In prior threads I recall someone saying that SE-5a drivers often removed the Lewis gun from the upper wing and flew with only a Vickers gun. *The issue was the fact that the Lewis gun was not particularly accurate ergo some (many? *few?) felt it dispensable. *

Without the weight of the Lewis gun and its mount, the SE-5a gained considerable performance. *At least this is as I remember the discussion at the time. *Not being an authority on the SE-5a, I cannot bespeak knowledge to reinforce this subject. *Perhaps Dan-San or one of the others might confirm or deny.

Semper Fi,

Shooter sends

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Shooter;
I have never seen a picture of a S.E.5a with the Lewis gun removed in a service squadron. I had a conversation with Paul Winslow, (1st LT. U.S.A.S) who was attached to, and flew with 56 Squadron S.E.5a(RAF) from I think March 1918 to late August 1918, (1 vic. 8/10/18), who related to me that he had a bad experience changing a Lewis drum while in combat, the wind blast jerked the drum out of his hand and wrenched his shoulder. He said after that, he went out with the loaded drum on the Lewis, two drums in the cockpit, however he used the Vickers as his primary weapon, did not fire the Lewis, he kept it in reserve. After I asked, he said, if necessary, he would try to change the drum, only if it was necessary. Paul and his dear wife Ruth kind of adopted Patti and I, they did not have any children. When Paul passed into the "Great Hangar in the Sky" Ruth gave me his R.F.C. tie, (his wish.) I still have it. They are both gone now. Paul's brother Alan Winslow served in the 94th Aero Squadron. :'( A sad story.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

[Shooter]

Thanks for the info, Dan-San.

Semper Fi,

Shooter sends

I was going to ask if they reloaded the Lewis in flight...

Now I know... Thanks Dan