Roden 1/32 SE5a -the build

[Kofoed]

Wow, Stepen, amazing gun work.

Can't wait to see the rest.

Cheers
Kofoed

[StephenLawson]

Now for those of you who don't plan on adding photoetch, here is a modification to the kit Instrument Panel.

Drill out the gauge faces carefully. You don't want to distort the molded bezels with the heat generated by a motor tool. You put the clear panels on first then add the decals attaching them behind the clear plastic by their faces. Let dry then paint the decal backs and the clear with white or black depending on the gauge details. Viola!

[StephenLawson]

The addition of the Part of Poland Radiator shutters is taking a bit of time due to the fact that they are easily damaged. So more images will be coming.

[Doug Baumann]

good work Steve one more hat trick Doug

[mouseman]

Stumbled on this thread yesterday and was very impressed with both the kit and the build. Lovely work. Can't wait to see the finished article.

Further to the earlier discussion on D G-M's aircraft, shouldn't the post armistice scheme carry the name "Schweinhund III", this being the a/c G-M refers to as his red machine? This is how it is refered to in "Wind in the Wires", a book I've had the pleasure of reading many times over the years. The original "Schweinhund" was written off in action, as was it's replacement.
"Schweinhund III" was "reduced to produce" as G-M bemoans it's destruction as war surplus.
Regards and best of luck with the build.
DA

[StephenLawson]

Greetings mouseman;

Thanks for commenting. While D G-M may have differentiated I-II -III in his writings this was not noted on the aircraft itself. It cuts down on the confusion if I just stick to the photos. Usually the date of operations is enough.

[mouseman]

Hi Stephen,
Thanks for your reply. I've only ever seen one photo of D G-M's aircraft, from memory as part of a line-up of 56 Squadron's SE5a's presumably taken during the war and nothing whatsoever that was definitely post-war. Googling has yielded nothing , so thanks for clearing up my query.
In my edition of the book, the aircraft's name always appears in italics, including Schweinhund III, which implies that it was a definite name. Presumably the proof reader also assumed this being without the benefit of photos to the contrary.
Thanks again for clearing up this confusion.

Best regards
DA

[Copperhead]

Great work Stephan, but a couple questions. First there are 2 different control columns, the "joystick" and the "spade grip" How do you know which to use? is there a serial# cutoff or something? Second how did you do the clear wing inspection ports? I couldn't tell by just the pics what you had done. JW

[StephenLawson]

Originally Posted by Copperhead

Great work Stephan, but a couple questions. First there are 2 different control columns, the "joystick" and the "spade grip" How do you know which to use? is there a serial# cutoff or something? Second how did you do the clear wing inspection ports? I couldn't tell by just the pics what you had done. JW

Greetings old man! Here is a bit of fun from Alex Revell on the subject of SE 5a control columns

" . . .alex_revell sends back; Stephen, I can only tell you what Charles, the engineering officer of 56, told me. I can't vouch for it, but he said that when McCudden joined 56 he did not like the method of firing the guns, which was a kind of grip on the stick, rather like a brake lever on a motor bike.

McCudden said that this tended to jerk the aeroplane a little, throw the aim off, and asked Charles to fit his SE with the spade grip as used in the Camel. McCudden asked for a very light pressure to fire the guns - ounces. By memory it was three or four. Best I can do, I'm afraid. Alex"

I 'll see if I can get some images on those pulley inspection plate up when thet are finished.

[Miguel1]

Hello Stephen,

Great job you're doing with this SE5 and thank you for such a good explanation.

Thanks

Miguel M.