First Light
First light of the day in Flanders sees a section of RFC SE.5s escort a wayward French SE back home - the RFC section led by a Flight Commander, pennants flying from the wing struts, with one SE5 affording top cover. The silk scarf seen on the pilot is not an affectation but was to alleviate friction burns caused by the constant need to check behind for enemy aircraft - this solution carried on into WW2 where the fighter pilots ‘insignia’ was the top tunic button undone with a silk scarf and no tie - seriously bad form, old boy.
The SE5 (SE stands for Scout Experimental) was the premiere fighter machine for the RAF in 1917 using the Wolseley Viper engine which afforded a top speed of 120mph and a service ceiling in excess of 20,000ft and that with no oxygen or special clothing!! Over 5,000 were built and considerable numbers supplied to the French and the American Expeditionary Force.
Composite image of SE5s of the Shuttleworth Trust, and one Canadian rebuild, with a skyscape from my archives.
The SE5 (SE stands for Scout Experimental) was the premiere fighter machine for the RAF in 1917 using the Wolseley Viper engine which afforded a top speed of 120mph and a service ceiling in excess of 20,000ft and that with no oxygen or special clothing!! Over 5,000 were built and considerable numbers supplied to the French and the American Expeditionary Force.
Composite image of SE5s of the Shuttleworth Trust, and one Canadian rebuild, with a skyscape from my archives.
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