#se5a

[nocternalrandomness]

Shuttleworth's vintage 1918 SE-5A Fighter demoing at the Old Warden Military Air Show - May 2025

[cottontownphotography]

SPITFIRE PRELUDE AND FUGUE

If you grew up in the 1970’s or even the 80’s this piece of music by William Walton will maybe conjure up images of old war movies; memories passed on by grandparents or the air shows of bygone years. Maybe your Dad looking up at criss-cross aircraft  trails referred to them as a 'Battle of Britain sky’ (then went on to talk about spitfires.

This iconic British airplane took part in it. The aircraft and its brave pilots played an important part in the second world war; 1939-45 yet the last mission by a Spitfire was actually flown as late as 1954. Yesterday, we got to look at a full size replica up close.

An armed forces day here in the grounds of Burnley’s Towneley Hall, included two aircraft: a Supermarine Spitfire and a World War One bi-plane an SE5a.

My maternal grandfather, over 30 years older than my grandmother had served with the Royal Flying Corps.  This group of early military aviators were to become the Royal Air Force in later years.  My grandfather’s discharge papers to RAF reserve duty, described him as a rigger. Here he is, pictured below.

He had been a master joiner by profession.  These aircraft were built using canvas stretched over a wooden frame.

The SE5a was a biplane with two wings, stayed with struts and wire cables.  The concept (the slot effect) is familiar to me as a sailing helm: Two aerofoils together create additional lift.

My grandfather, on active duty, is pictured below, second from the right with 3 others.

We talked to the guys from War and Peace, the organisation based in Dover, Kent, which had brought the aircraft up to Lancashire.  It was fascinating to hear about their use in wartime.  Sometimes referred to as the WWI Spitfire; the SE5 was armed with two machine guns, a wing mounted Lewis gun and a Vickers .303 inch calibre synchronised with the propeller, fired directly through its rotational arc.

Most of the tiny cockpit apparently was taken up with spare magazines! This small plane was one of the fastest and most maneuverable, capable of 138 mph and with a service ceiling up to 20,000 ft!

If you ever get to see one of these up close, take the opportunity. They are an incredible piece of British history.

All recent images were taken using a 'scrap' Canon EOS 400D with a heavily used Canon EF 18-55 f3.5-5.6 IS STM lens. Images were edited using Canon Zoom Browser EX and DPP4. The older images, property of my grandfather were shot by unknown photographers.

Jane xx

[yodawgiheardyoulikemecha]

SE5a by rac819 Via Flickr: WW1 fighter Shuttleworth Collection Old Warden September 2010 Nikon D300S Nikon 70-300mm AF-S VR

[pinturas-gran-guerra-aire]

1918 05 Gallant Gentlemen - James Dietz

[usafphantom2]

Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a Wolseley Viper of 85 Squadron, flown by Billy Bishop VC.

@ron_eisele via X

[longislandairpower]

Royal Air Force Museum, London (Hendon) Hanger 2, the Grahame-White Factory

Caudron G.3 Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5A Albatros D.Va Sopwith Camel and Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2B

[redarmyscreaming]

SE5a fighter scout, serial no. C9539, of C Flight, No. 2 Australian Squadron, involved in an accident at Savy Aerodrome, France.

[aero-stuff]

Royal Aircraft Factory SE-5A