R.A.F. S.E.5a (Hispano-Suiza, various scales)

The S.E.5 was found to be a capable plane, and when the geared 200hp version of the Hispano-Suiza became available, it was mounted, the result being the R.A.F. S.E.5a. The first plane with the new engine arrived at № 56 Squadron in June 1917 and S.E.5a's replaced the S.E.5 in that unit by the end of August. However, there was difficulty in obtaining large quantities of the 200hp engine, both from France and the native Wolseley company. Wolseley was ordered to fall back to making the original ungeared engine, but they chose to improve it to a high-compression version known as the "Wolseley Viper". By January 1918 there were four hundred airframes in storage awaiting engines. In the early months of 1918 the bugs began to be worked out and deliveries from the Mayen firm increased the stock.

In combat the S.E.5a was found to be sturdy and reliable. While it was not as hair-trigger maneuverable as the Sopwith Camel, it could be thrown about without fear of crack-up. Since it was a top-line fighter, it served mostly on the Western Front, but small numbers were used on other fronts and in Home Defense.

As 1918 progressed the engines were refined, moving to 220-240hp Hispano-Suiza's and (at last) the 200hp Wolseley Viper.  The S.E.5a was one of the great fighters of World War One.

This is an S.E.5a with the geared Hispano-Suiza engine and it retains its headrest.   There are also available an S.E.5 and an S.E.5a with the Wolseley Viper engine.

This product comes in both 1:144 and 1:285/6mm/1:288 and smaller scales.  The 1:285 product contains two aeroplanes, joined by disposable links, one with the Hispano-Suiza engine and one with the Viper.  In Detail Plastic, a detachable, translucent propeller disk is also included, which you can use or discard as you prefer.  At 1:500 and smaller, twelve planes are included, connected to sprues (which you'll have to carefully remove).

DESIGNER NOTE:  Models at scales smaller than 1:144 may no longer be available.  Shapeways discontinued the material for which they were designed, and the newer materials require that each and every model be adjusted to thicken surfaces like wings.  If you are interested in a particular model in a small scale, please let me know and I will prioritize it higher in the queue.

For more details and gaming info, see https://linen.miraheze.org/wiki/R.A.F._S.E.5.