Serial Number for John R. Gordon's SE5A

iart7 · 20 July 2008, 12:02 PM

I've been searching the net for information about

John Rutherford Gordon's SE5A. His photo can be seen in an SE5A which only shows (up close) the forward part of the plane up to the kangaroo. WIKIpedia shows this cropped image with the huge "D" behind the cockpit.

I've seen some great (though Lo-Res) profiles by Cam Riley that show D3542 and mention D351. Who is the pilot of D3542? If Gordon's plane has a large "D" on the side, would it also have a "D" on the rudder as shown on Cam Riley's profiles? Would the "D" also be on the right side of the top wing?

Does anyone know the number of Gordon's plane?

I'll post some images of my latest SE5A planeskin if someone can guide me in the pursuit of this "mystery".

Thanks,

Art

Cliff · 20 July 2008, 02:08 PM

'The S.E.5 File' lists D3542 as '6th TS (AFC) Minchinhampton, WOC 5.18'
ie. 6th Training Sqn. Australian Flying Corps, written off charge in 5/18

Cliff

Frank_Olynyk · 20 July 2008, 11:55 PM

John Rutherford Gordon was an observer in 62 Squadron, flying BF 2Bs. Unless he later trained as a pilot he would not have been flying SE 5a's. Or possibly you have a different JR Gordon in mind. The observer in 62 squadron was a member of the Australian Flying Corps.

Frank.

SCMc · 21 July 2008, 08:02 AM

Frank,

The Wikipedia article on John Rutherford Gordon, that has the photo Art mentioned above, says:

Quote:

Returning to England in 1917 he was medically restricted from completing his flying training so on his own initiative transferred to the Royal Flying Corps to serve as a gunner on Bristol Fighters at No 62 Squadron. . .

In mid 1918 he returned to England to finally complete his flying training and then served as a pilot on the SE5a.

So it is the same person.

Cliff,

There is a photo of 6 Squadron AFC SE5a's at the site that Art listed. The serial number of the front machine appears to be D3542.

Art,

The D on the vertical stabilizer of "D3542" is part of the serial number of the plane, and is unrelated to the D on the side of

John Rutherford Gordon's SE5a. I don't know if the AFC put markings on the upper wing.

Is there any reason that you are choosing to do Gordon's SE5a? All of his victories were as a F2b observer.

Steve

iart7 · 21 July 2008, 11:06 AM

Thank you Steve and Cliff!

I like Gordon, because of the interesting photo I referenced with his face up close, clear and sharp. I will probably not list the pilot name and just state the Minchinhampton location if I can't find Gordon's serial number. Also, Gordon lived through WWII until 1978. I like this squadron's kangaroo on red field.

Here is the skin WIP, remember the number and letter "D" are tentative. Of course the blue on the tail is also subjective.

(larger)

Art
PS: my web server has been having sporadic interruption of service. if the image above is not visible, check back again.