Roland's SE5a

RobW · 5 October 2006, 06:55 PM

Here are a few shots of Roland's SE5a that I took at the Virginia Regional EAA Fly-In in Petersburg Virginia. I'll let Roland write the descriptions of what you are seeing... That is Roland, in the cockpit, running it up for the crowd.

Rob Waring

RobW · 5 October 2006, 07:13 PM

RobW · 5 October 2006, 07:15 PM

RobW · 5 October 2006, 07:16 PM

RobW · 5 October 2006, 07:35 PM

Roland, if you have any other pictures you want me to post, send them to me.

Rob

Roland Gilliam · 6 October 2006, 09:45 AM

This full scale "scratch" built SE5A won 1st place warbird last weekend at The Va. Regional EAA flyin At Petersburg Va. The engine pictures are primarily for Douwe , as he wanted some shots of the engine mount. The engine is a Ford v6 with the Blanton conversion. It has a belt redrive . The redrive can be seen just forward of the engine. The belt is about 6 in. wide. This aircraft was used in the movie The Aviator. You can't quite see it , but this plane has a stick socket and rudder pedals for a front cockpit. However, I choose to fly it as a single seater. ( Would lose the Vickers gun and both gunsights if I converted it to a 2 seater.)

Many thanks to RobW for taking and posting these pictures.

Roland

RobW · 7 October 2006, 01:16 PM

Roland, I know you mentioned it in another post, but who & where was this aircraft built?

rob

Roland Gilliam · 7 October 2006, 03:43 PM

It was built in Belleville Ill. by Don Hickman and Walter Hubert. They started 5 aircraft, finished mine and one more that went to a museum in Holland ( that was Al Brauhns) His was a 2 place. Mine is covered over.One was sold to someone in Canada that was about ready for cover. One to someone out west, and I understand Bob Rockford in St. Louis has the other.
I have written the following in another post but here gos again.
The airplane was designed by Parks Air College in St. Louis as a project to research and design a full scale SE5A using modern materials and a better airfoil. They used the Smithsonian and the Airforce Museum for thier study source. I pass this along as I was told. I had nothing to do with the design. I bought the airplane after it was in the movie The Aviator.

Roland

13 October 2006, 07:28 AM

That is one beautiful SE-5 Roland, how does it fly? Is that V-6 conversion enough power for that size plane? Robert E.

Roland Gilliam · 13 October 2006, 02:27 PM

Thanks Robert,

The engine developed 190 hp on the dyno with the prop on it.This was done on a test stand according to the builder. It has plenty of power
, but not overpowered by any means. Airplane flies great. not fast (90-100 mph) Stalls about 40 mph. It is very loud in the cockpit , as I'm turning 3800 to 4000 rpms to get the 1500 prop revs. That is the only thing I do'nt like, I would love to have a direct drive turning about 1600 - 1800 revs.

Any more questions feel free to ask. Thanks for the compliment , the airplane does show very well.I'm very proud to own it. Where are you located??

Regards,

Roland