RAF SE5a

Rightly regarded as one of the finest fighting aeroplanes to emerge from World War One, the Royal Aircraft Factory’s SE5a, once initial teething troubles were resolved, went on to achieve a deservedly excellent reputation. It was strong and it was also a stable gun platform, qualities which were exploited to the fullest extent by leading pilots who flew it to war. Beauchamp – Proctor; Bishop; Jones; Mannock; McCudden; McElroy and Rhys-Davids, Gwilym Lewis, amongst others, used the SE5a to deadly effect in 1917-1918, securing it an honoured position in British air fighting annals alongside its equally famous contemporary the Sopwith Camel. By the Armistice the SE5a equipped over 20 British squadrons.