SE5a engine cover

Brez · 12 September 2009, 01:15 PM

Hi All,
Just a quick question to anyone who knows. Was the SE5a cowling hinged along the centre-line? i.e. was it possible to lift half the cowling to look at the engine, like you could on the bonnet of an old-fashioned motor car? I've only seen photos with the cowling completely removed.

Thanks Brez.

'14-'18aviationcollector · 12 September 2009, 05:39 PM

Hi Brez,

Yes the SE5a engine cowl is hinged at the top.

Cheers,

David.

Dan_San_Abbott · 12 September 2009, 08:19 PM

Hi Brez:
The hinge was a piano type hinge. To fix the position of top cowl there was a pin under the cowling on the rear of the cowl that wnt into a receptacle at the top the firewall bulk head. The positioned the cowling laterally and b]prevent the cowl for slipping backwards. Just one of those insignicant little details. The S.E.5a was a remarkable design, any joint that could receive multiple loads was universal, interplane struts are a good example, they move in any direct without fracturing. H.P.Folland, the designer, was a genious.
Blue skies Brez,
Dan-San

Iwik · 12 September 2009, 10:37 PM

Hi there!
I was just asking myself the same question!

However, are there any photos on the web where we can see that?

Ciao
Iwik

Brez · 13 September 2009, 03:49 AM

David;
Thanks thats what I thought.

Dan San;
Thank-you, interesting about the universal joints - makes sense. Folland was indeed a genius, his 1930s Gloster designs must be some of the most beautiful biplanes ever.

Iwik;
I suspect that you're thinking along the same lines as me. A model with just half the engine exposed, am I right? As I say can't find anything in period photographs, I reckon we'd have more luck with more recent pics from say Old Warden or TVAL.

Iwik · 13 September 2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brez

David;
Thanks thats what I thought.
I suspect that you're thinking along the same lines as me. A model with just half the engine exposed, am I right? As I say can't find anything in period photographs, I reckon we'd have more luck with more recent pics from say Old Warden or TVAL.

Hi!
You're reading my mind!

But hopefully, I will show one side with the canva almost taken down.
Ciao
Iwik

Brez · 27 November 2009, 08:06 AM

Calling Dan San or anyone else in the know,
Can anyone tell me if this looks right, ie. the engine cover split right down the middle. The WNW cover (photographed next to the Roden) just shows the piano hinge on the top but does it need scribing through the radiator-cap opening?

Cheers,
Tony (who is loathe to make any criticism of a Wingnut Wings kit)

DSC00554.jpg

bristol scout · 27 November 2009, 10:43 AM

Hi Brez,

The plans in both Datafiles (S.E.5--S.E.5a) seem to vary--but the re-print of details at the back of the S.E.5 (30) plus careful looking at photos leads me to say don't scribe through radiator cap--that was a seperate (though two part---upper and lower--radiator cowling.

Hope any of that makes sense

Dave.

Brez · 27 November 2009, 11:20 AM

Hi Dave,
Hmm, I think I know what you mean. Scribe downwards from the hinge toward the exaust?

Or am I completely off track?

Tony

bristol scout · 27 November 2009, 11:47 AM

It looks like the top panels (the centre hinged ones) open upwards on a line just slightly behind the front streamline rocker box cover---which is fastened to those covers and just lies against the Radiator cover when they are closed down-it Looks like Roden are not correct making it all one piece--UNLESS the S.E.5a was different in that detail to the S.E.5 (remember I'm going off the period drawings in Datafile 30 (page 29) I wish I could scan for you mate but I can't!

I fear I have not helped you my friend

Dave.