[melsharkskin]

I hope somebody can clarify this for me: I have the Squadron/Encore S.E.5'McCudden' boxing of the Roden 1/32 kit. They have done a fine job of using resin to make the appropriate modifications to McCudden's three known aircraft. However, I can't seem to figure out which is the appropriate landing gear for at least two of these versions.

I've always understood that there were two different types of landing gear used on the S.E.5a, those being the 'early' and the 'late'. However, after checking various references, one of the best being Kagero's book, I find that there are two 'early' versions depicted. On the five-view paintings of a/c C5303 the forward arm of the V strut is raked slightly forward by a few degrees. However, a five-view of #B4863 (one of McCudden's machines) shows this forward arm of the V strut perpendicular to the fuselage, with no rake.

Looking at photographs in various books, when the S.E.5a has been shot side-on, the forward-swept strut seems to prevail.

I have also heard the early version of this undercarriage referred to as the 'tubular' version, since it lacks the apparent fairing that of the late version. Tubular or not, it appears from photos and various drawings to be in the shape of an airfoil cross section and is not round. Was it indeed hollow tubing? If so, how was the later version constructed?

Mainly, though, I need to know this: Were there indeed two versions of the early undercarriage struts for the S.E.5a, and if so, is the kit undercarriage in the 1/32 Roden moldings correct? And is it appropriate for McCudden's first two aircraft (I believe the third version offered here correctly bears the late landing gear, this being the machine with the LVG spinner on it).

I know this is a lot of verbiage for something trivial, but, well...you know how it is. I'd appreciate it if anybody could ring in on this.
TOM