Hello,
this no comparison of a Spad versus a SE5a, because Jentsch flew an Albatros at that time, but Jentsch describes several planes he flew, including some captured ones like a Sopwith and a SPAD. Here's what he writes about a flight with a captured SPAD (i try to remain close to what he says, even if a more fluent translation could be possible, own thoughts in [brackets]):
"The SPAD is being pulled out of the tent, and made ready for start. A mechanic shortly explains the interior. The instruments are not mounted as well-arranged as in german army planes. The looping harness lets the pilot more freedom of movement than those being used by us. The engine, being a Hispano-Suiza, has to be actuated manually, it appears the frankmen [or "frenchmen", kind of slang, but not as bad as "boche", "Franzmaenner" in german] do not seem to have heard of starters. After some misfiring i am able to start. The engines's revolutions, around 2400 per minute [really so much ?], are higher than those of our planes.
The SPAD lies wonderfully in the air, and responds well to the slightest control moves. Additionally the engine runs without jolting due to its favourable V-shape. The machine lies calmly in the air, there are no vibrations like in our planes, which are being triggered by the construction type of german in-line engines [how were the HS engines bolted to the SPAD fuselage?].
Material is no object for the enemy states. The whole world is open for them for provisioning of raw and working materials. With such a background top performance in the construction of planes can be achieved. The performance of the SPAD towers high above our machines. The loopings and barrel rolls finally validate my assumption. And now i suddenly realize why the first attack by a SPAD is so dangerous, they almost cannot miss while shooting with the calm behaviour and brilliant field of vision. Our fighter pilots at the controls of their SPADs, would almost put an end to enemy aviation.
Against my expectations i manage to make a good landing. Because of the vertical tail skid [huh?] i have to land on the wheels. The SPAD needs a long runway to come to full stop, but the aerodrome of Chambry holds no perils in that respect."
Some days later, at August 13th, 1918, Jentsch was transferred to the
Jasta Boelcke.
Greetings,
Catfish