US Navy Se5a

JohnFitz · 2 January 2006, 07:35 AM

Hi Guys, Hope you all have a great new year! I would appreciate the opnions of the experts on the colors of this bird. I am speculating that the nose is dark (Navy) blue similiar to the blue in the insignias L/g and wheels included. Fabric has been left "natural/unpainted" and just doped and varnished. Thanks for your consideration.

Cliff · 3 January 2006, 07:11 PM

John

'The S.E.5 File" gives this plane as 'U.S. Army markings at the U.S.Navy Base at Quantico in June 1921"
The book has a drawings of a post-war USAS SE5a with aluminum? fuselage, olive drab engine cowl and horiz. tail plus lots of yellow/blue/red stripes.
Your pic shows aluminum? rear and overpainted forward fuselage. (looks darker than the blue of the insignia). Wings appear not to be painted as you can see thru to the top wing insignia.

Cliff

RED BARON RETURNS · 3 January 2006, 10:57 PM

WoW....That's a first for me to see a picture of a SE5 in US markings.....
Always learning somthing new in the Aerodrome...
Cool Pic too.
Later Days'
Jep
RED BARON RETURNS

JohnFitz · 4 January 2006, 05:35 AM

Cliff, The Windsock "Special" I have says the Army gave SE5's to the Navy but it does not imply that the colors on the one in the picture are Army colors. It also says it is not known for sure if the one in the photo is one of the SE5's given by the Army. So, I believe this one is painted in Navy colors. If it is in Army colors then I guess the nose, l/g and wheels are painted PC10 Kahki. Does anyone know when exactly "olive drab" was initially used? It seems to me that PC10 Kahki has been described as olive drab but they are two different colors. One being more brown and the other green. I agree that the wings are not painted and just doped and varnished and also the rest of the fuselage and tail. No Aluminum dope on this one I think. Guess I need to move this thread to the "camo. and markings" catagory. Thanks for your reply.