SE-5a

Undoubtedly the S.E 5 (Scout Experimental) was the best combative aircraft coming from the Royal Aircraft Factory. It was designed by H.P. Follanda and J. Kenworthy'a to the new engine Hispano-Suiza. The first prototype broke during attempts in November 1916 r, as similarly as afterwards the other. The third prototype had the modified radiator, the cut in the top slice and the header in the centre section of a wing. First S.E. 5 came across to No 56 Squadron in March 1917. Only 60 copies were built with150 KM H-S engines but since these engines were very unreliable to the next copies the 200 KM Volsley Hispano-Suiza 8a engines were being assembled. The Flow round was added behind the armchair of the pilot and gravity – operated water tank in the centre section of a wing. Unfortunately, the new engines were at very bad quality and until the end of 1917 it was possible to realize only 25% of orders. The problem ended with engines when the Volseley Company elaborated the new Viper engine. The Constantinesco synchronizer was the next problem however the aircraft showed all its values after the solution of this problem. It was manoeuvrable, resistant to damage and it possessed the big strength of fire (2 kilometres). Such pilots were flying on this type of the aircraft: Beauchamp-Proctor "Billy" Bishop, Edward "Mick" Mannock and McCadden James. In all 5205 S.E 5a aircraft were constructed.

The model is presenting S.E 5a "Maybe?" contemporary renovated. The author of the model, at designing details, based on reconstruction photos placed in the Internet.

Technical data.

Span - 8.11 m; length - 6.38 m; height - 2.89 m; own mass - 639 kg; take off mass - 902 kg; maximum speed - 222 km/h; ceiling - 5185 m; range 483 km, engine: the 200 KM V8 Volseley  Hispano-Suiza 8a ; arming by -single gun – machine Vickers calibre. 7.7 mm permanently attached to the fuselage, one gun - machine Levis calibre 7.7 mm attached to the Foster stand on the top slice.

Premises.

Despite the fact that the model  isn't suitable for beginners it is possible to execute the model in various marks of complicatedness. Fairly advanced modellers are able to execute the version with the full sheating however modellers with the broad experience are able to execute the version with removed fragments of the sheating in order to show the internal structure. However to do it correctly, it is necessary to look at the documentation of the "Maybe?" casing available in the Internet.

It is necessary to use for the construction paperboard with such thickness that lined elements have appropriate thickness: * - 0.5 mm, ** - 1 mm, ^b - line with the cardstock (technical block - 160 - 180 g/m2). The thickness of the paper used for print of the model is about. 0.2 mm - sheets "tough", about 0.1 mm - sheets "soft". The description of the construction refers to the simplified version; however advanced modellers will find suggestions in description how it is possible to execute elements additionally plasticized the model. Extra valorising elements were put by proper parts without the numeration. Because of limited capacity of the edition the parts are arranged densely on sheets. Execute elements of ferrule of the fuselage and wings in the own field, using monograph and of photos from the Internet.

Description of the construction.

The fuselage.

Begin the construction of the model by sticking to the suitable paperboard the framework of the fuselage. Then, using picture 1 glue the framework. For extra plasticization of the model plaster the visible brinks of lined parts with belts of the width 1 mm. If execute the shut fuselage there is no need of pasting 12,12a elements, 13.14 and 15. Glue profiling bars (in accordance trimming) between elements from 12 to 15. Bracing cables of the truss is presented on picture 2.Next, to the truss glue the bottom of the fuselage – parts 1 and 1a.

Fitting of the fuselage.

Execute the equipment of the pilot’s cockpit according to pict. 3. Additionally, it is possible to make clocks „behind glass" from elements being located next to the suitable elements. Element 28 – the magneto switch - has two levers: one in inside side and the second sticking out through the opening in the sheating outside (it is worth to glue it in the final stage of the model construction). Then, plaster the fuel tank according to pict. 4. In the next stage, glue a Vickers machine – gun, the part 35, according to pict. 5, plastering of the fuselage with part 34 and pasting the machine - gun to the fuselage in a way that the gun barrel is able to go through the opening in the former 19, and the body is based on the forks on the dashboard 28.Match a slope of the dashboard in a way that the gun barrel of the gun – machine is exactly situated in the bay of part 34. Then, line the gun – carriage, part 36 and glue templates, s1 s2 and s3. Next, start to plaster the top part of the fuselage. The element 35-1 - the feeder of ammunition is invisible in practice with the shut fuselage so it isn’t necessary to paste it (paste it into the part 37 in a way that it is placed at the height of the lock in gun – machine). The 37b - fairing, the telescope sight 37c and Vickersa sight instruments 35y and 35z paste only in the terminal phase of the construction of the model.

Back of the fuselage.

Elements of the tail plane, parts 41 - stabilizer and control surface 42, glue according to pict. 7 where it is drawn for the simplified version (right part of the figure) and for full version (left part of the figure).

The fin make according to the picture 8, the templates unstop through parts21, and on it mount the stabilizer and a skid made according to picture 8.

Wings.

Wings in the simplified version make with the standard method using the basic numeration and 9 and 10 pictures. Internal, top brink of the wings should be adjusted to the dihedral, which should be based on templates I and II. Additionally, it is possible to cut sight-glasses on wings and utilizing parts for valorisation to execute the fragment of the internal structure and to paste the cord leading roll to the ailerons. Begin installation of wings by preparing templates I and II according to pict. 11. Then, glue to the fuselage lower centre section of the wing. Prepared in such a way unit, place in the template and stick on lower wings. Proceeding with the top slice in the identical way and we glue internal angle struts, first (52-front, 53-back), and then back (54-front, 54-back). Leave the model for total drying of glue. It is worth at this stage to make wings tensions and only then to pull the model out of the template.

It is worth when making the full framework gluing parts with itself with glue giving the fixed and strong joint. Make strands stiffening the framework and tips by your own using the monograph.

Chassis.

Make the chassis according to pict.12. Then, stiffen undercarriage leg strands. It is possible to make wings movable.

Drive unit.

Begin the construction of the driving unit with the engine which should be made according to

pict. 13. If making the casing engine it isn’t necessary to make the carburettor

(parts from s to w). It is possible make the rest of equipment of the engine.

Make the radiator according to pict. 14. It is possible to make blinds limiting the flow of air

through the radiator, as open or shut. It is also possible to make wires linking the radiator to the engine within one's capacity.

Then glue top engine casing, part 59 and alternatively lower (if not glued earlier). The engine overlaps for about 1 mm on part 34.

Exhaust unit make according to pict. 15 and glue it to cylinders (part 57m) and to the fuselage with connection rings. Then glue the airscrew according to pict.16 from elements 61. Axis of the airscrew, s10, shorten suitably and lay on the airscrew.

Final work.

Make the Levis machine – gun according to pict. 17 of elements 62 and stick on the top surface of the centre section of the wing - part 49.

Make a fuel pipe and a water pipe within one’s capacity on the ridge of the centre section of the wing - they are going down to the fuselage

along back internal angle struts and Pilot’s tube placed on the right, front outside angle strut. It is necessary to protect the model from dump and dust.

We wish the successful fun.

Cordial thanks to Mr.  Jan Hoffman for availability of the information.