RAF

RAF BE2e by Pegasus Models 1/72 scale Short Run Injection Mold.

A direct decendent of the BE2c, the BE2e was developed to counter poor altitude response of the BE2c. Performance gains were only moderate. The BE2e served from 1916 in a multitude of roles at home and on the Western Front to night fighting.

The model represents an aircraft of No. 50 Home Defense Squadron.

SE5a by Roden Models, 1/72 scale injection mold.

The is RODEN kit 045 with the Wolseley Viper engine. There are three decal choices. The paint is Humbrol RFC Green and Model Master Radome Tan. Care must be taken when building the front section of the model but the results are good. The instruction sheet is unclear on the location of certain parts, especially part 35A. This is a very easy build and highly recommended for a nice, quick out of the box model.

I used Blue Rider decal sheet BR211 to depict a plane flown by Lt Raymond C. Watts of the 25th Aero squadron, United States Air Service, Toul, France in November 1918. My references were Windsock # 10 and Squadron In Action # 69.

R.A.F. SE5 by Pegasus Models, 1/72 scale short run injection mold.

The first RFC aircraft to use the Hispano-Suiza V8 engine and the first to have an enclosed windscreen/cockpit. This feature was disliked by almost all of the pilots, but is was a feature that was years ahead of its time. The SE5 equiped only four operational RFC units until it was replaced by the SE5a.

This aircraft was flown by Lt. Cecil A Lewis MC and was often used by Albert Ball DSO, MC when his own aircraft A4850 was in for repairs.

For a complete description of the construction of this kit, see the Build Article that appeared in Internet Modeler, of 2005

SE5a Two Seat trainer by Revell/Roseparts

In an attempt to help train new pilots, an unknown number of SE5As were converted to two-seat trainers by the RFC/RAF. A second cockpit was placed in front of the original. On B'18, the fuel tank was removed and replaced by a small cylinder shaped tank on the upper wing. This arrangement badly impaired the flying characteristics of the plane and the two-seaters would spin at the slightest provocation.

While going through my misc. collection, I found a Roseparts resin fuselage to convert the Revell or ESCI SE5A into the two-seat trainer. When or where I came into possession of this fuselage, I haven't a clue. My fuselage was tweaked a little but a dry fit of the parts did not indicate any major fit problems down the road.

There is no interior for this kit so two Fotocut metal seat backs provided the seats. The instrument panels and shelves are scratchbuilt. I didn't add any framework because of the limited space in the fuselage shell.

After the interior was complete, the lower wing was attached along with the tailskid and radiator. At this stage, all parts and construction is a Revell kit.

After putty, the model is painted and decals are applied. I used the Revell one piece struts to get proper alignment and filled and sanded the strut locations on the two wings. The tweak in the fuselage revealed itself when the cabane struts were installed. They are a little off center. (Kinda like me) The landing struts were added with no problems. At this time, the rigging was added using DURAS and the model was complete.

This is a very easy conversion and with the exception of making two cockpits, this is an out of the box Revell kit. I estimate it took 10-12 hours to build.