Roden SE5a

PeterL · 2 October 2004, 02:13 PM

Well, I've got mine. First thing to say is that there is not, contrary to what I said elsewhere, a decal option with a big G on the side. Sorry Ginge, that must be on the Hisso version. Mine is the Wolseley version, kit number 416, which interestingly is the kit number Hannants are currently listing for the Hisso engined model.(?)

It does look extremely nice in the box. Detail is refined and the overall impression very clean. The wings are much better than the recent Eduard Camel and do not feature separate control surfaces. Animated ailerons are something of a hobby horse for me, you just don't often see them deflected in real life. Elevators and rudder are though separate parts and very fine they are too. Fuselage detail is also subtle and the lacing is particularly well done.There are no sink marks on any of the major parts.

There are two props, left and right handed, one of which is presumably for a future release. There are also two Lewis guns with separate drums and two Foster mounts to accomodate the different thrust lines and prop diametres of the selected variant. Smaller detail parts are crisply moulded.

Decal options are; Beauchamp-Proctor's D6856, 84 Sqn. Bishop's C1904, 85 Sqn. Mannock's E1295, 74 Sqn. The decals are semi gloss and, given Roden's record in this area, I shall test a a surplus item before touching any of those I intend to use.

This is a good one guys, everything we hoped it would be. I may have to build this one

But I won't be going near any drawings, it looks perfect just the way it is.

Richard_Schrader · 2 October 2004, 03:01 PM

I would really like to see a early S.E. 5 like 56 Sq had in April-May 1917.

StephenLawson · 2 October 2004, 03:10 PM

The initial issue has decals and profiles for the late version airframe with the 220hp Woseley Viper engine. BUT ...you will find on the trees, the engine heads, radiator, propellors, Lewis guns, cowling hoods, exhausts and upper forward fuselage decks for the 220hp Woseley Viper AND the 200hp Hispano - Suiza versions as well. Yet this kit differs from the most recent Roden kits in that it does not have the full engine present. To many it would be a small effort to fully recreate the cylinder banks and crank case. The over all subtle detail contributes greatly to the over-all look. This is a great kit!

PeterL · 2 October 2004, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard_Schrader

I would really like to see a early S.E. 5 like 56 Sq had in April-May 1917.

Looking at the break down and distribution of the parts on the sprue it would certainly be possible to grant your wish. While not suggesting for a moment that Roden intend to do any such thing, the fuselage is contructed in such a way that the nose and the cockpit section could be changed completely by swapping a few gates prior to molding. More likely it's done this way to facilitate the Hisso version however. Wings would remain square tipped, not uncommon but perhaps not what you or I would regard as typical SE5.

StephenLawson · 2 October 2004, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard_Schrader

I would really like to see a early S.E. 5 like 56 Sq had in April-May 1917.

Greetings Richard with the initial issue of twenty four airframes (A4545 -A4568) then from (A 8898 - A8922) were all SE 5 types. From A8923 on and machines from other manufacturers were SE 5a.

The RAF drawings say that it was the wing modifications that denoted the difference between SE 5 & Se5a.

Yet the Air Board Miinistry says it was ...
I. 150hp Hispano Suiza = SE 5.
II.200hp Hispano - Suiza = SE 5a.

Also the 150hp Hisso was replaced in many airframes when the 200hp variant became available. I have not been able to find any reference where the wings were modified when the engines were swapped.

References;
“British Fighter Units 1917-18" by A. Revell, Osprey Pub. Ltd. 1978.
“Fighting Fifty Six” by A. Revell, Aeroplane Monthly Pp. 591 - 596, Nov. 1976
“S.E. 5 Fighter Supreme” by J.M. Bruce, Aeroplane Monthly Pp. 264 - 269, May 1977
“S.E. 5 Fighter Supreme” by J.M. Bruce, Aeroplane Monthly Pp. 327 - 331, June 1977.
“S.E. 5 Fighter Supreme” by J.M. Bruce, Aeroplane Monthly Pp. 355 - 360, July 1977.
“S.E. 5 Fighter Supreme” by J.M. Bruce, Aeroplane Monthly Pp. 437 - 442, August 1977.
“S.E. 5 Fighter Supreme” by J.M. Bruce, Aeroplane Monthly Pp. 493 - 498, September 1977.
RAF SE 5a by J.M. Bruce, Datafile Special, Windsock pub.1993.
Royal Flying Corps in WWI by R. Rimell, Osprey Vintage Warbirds series #1, 1985.
The SE 5 by J.M. Bruce, Profile Publications #103, 1966.
The SE 5a by J. M. Bruce, Profile Publications #1, 1964.

Richard_Schrader · 2 October 2004, 03:46 PM

Peter & Stephan;
Thank you for the information.

RAGIII · 2 October 2004, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StephenLawson

The initial issue has decals and profiles for the late version airframe with the 220hp Woseley Viper engine. BUT ...you will find on the trees, the engine heads, radiator, propellors, Lewis guns, cowling hoods, exhausts and upper forward fuselage decks for the 220hp Woseley Viper AND the 200hp Hispano - Suiza versions as well. Yet this kit differs from the most recent Roden kits in that it does not have the full engine present. To many it would be a small effort to fully recreate the cylinder banks and crank case. The over all subtle detail contributes greatly to the over-all look. The master of this kit has nothing to apologize for. This is a great kit!

Are you saying you get the parts for building the Hisso version in this kit?
RAGIII

PeterL · 2 October 2004, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAGIII

Are you saying you get the parts for building the Hisso version in this kit?
RAGIII

Some , but not all, of the parts for the Hisso version are present. The kit is to be released with the full compliment of alternate parts at a later date. The SE5 should be a feasible conversion project from there but it's impossible to say for sure without the dog having first seen the rabbit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by StephenLawson

..Air Board Miinistry says it was ...
I. 150hp Hispano Suiza = SE 5.
II.200hp Hispano - Suiza = SE 5a.

That's certainly my understanding. I imagine that the attachments etc were the same for both types of wing and that, in theory, on the SE5 wings might even be interchangable. Although it must have been one-way traffic if that was indeed the case.