¹⁄32

November Model of the Month Winner

The Plane

Powered by 200hp Hispano-Suiza 8Ab engine, SE.5a (rather slowly) entered service in 1917 and proved itself in combat (after initial mistrust and redesign of unpopular features), soldiering on until the end of the War. Colloquially known as "Hisso" for its engine with reduction gear, this aircraft exhibits many characteristics of the early production model of the aircraft - most notably, a higher axis of propeller crankshaft and resulting risers on the top wing mounted Lewis gun. This particular engine design (regardless of the manufacturer) proved problematic and unreliable, leading to adoption of SE.5a powered by Wolsely-Viper engine - a licensed direct-drive version of the Hispano-Suiza engine. With both manufacturers producing direct-drive engines, naming really implies whether the engine is direct-drive or "geared".

The Kit

Limited Edition 1/32 Wingnut Wings kit is splendid in detail, design and assembly experience. The kit is one of the early offerings by the company, though I can't really place any negative comments in the design nor the experience with the product (maybe some hard to clean up ejection marks in the hard to reach places on the fuselage interior halves).

Due to complex rigging, I wouldn't recommend this kit to first time Early Aviation experience, but would note that WingNut Wing's design is very clever about solving SE.5's other difficulties - angle of the struts and wing dihedral assemble with no question to getting the two correct. Much of it is due to clever part design and famous fit precision. The latter does run into the challenge of dried paint thickness being enough to throw off the fit, so thin your paints for multiple applications or sand down parts to fit looser.

The Build

This is an "Out of the Box" build and utilizing one of the schemes provided by the kit. Only modifications were to redo interior molded rigging with wire and imitate wrapped and doped inner wing struts with strips of masking tape - the latter provided strength to both real and model aircraft struts (and look is not too shabby). I've opted for fuselage option with heavy fabric wrinkling, which is a nice option to have.

The roomy pilot's office offers enough complexity and mix of color and detail. Open cockpit frames most of the detail nicely and shows enough to prevent wasted work. Engine is covered by the cowling, though there are enough openings to gleam all the hard work - so don't shortcut on the engine finish with this one.

PC10 - a subject in itself. Mine is a custom mix of Olive Green, Drab and Burnt Sienna - I continued to mix the three, until I had a color that was somewhere between the brown and green - suggesting the PC10 application that is beginning to turn "Chocolate Brown" from elements and UV exposure.

All the parts are assembled in similar color blocks, painted and then assembly is continued with painted parts - this approach lends well to Early Aviation subjects that are cacophony of mixed materials and SE.5a is no exception (even with its drab PC10 outer appearance). Detail weathering applied to elements that get partially covered up and wherever it makes sense.

Rigging is done with jeweler's wire and "through the wing" method. Anchor points are pre-tapped on the wings with guide holes, so they are deepened on the lower wing to anchor the line and are drilled through on the top wing. I used round 0.25 mm wire even though the RAF Aerodynamic Wires were "flat" - it's not something that reads as apparent at the scale (IMO). I have dedicated my attention to getting the double wires in place where needed and managing the look of the way they are attached to the fuselage and struts.

Lots of clear parts include two types of windscreens and control wire pulley observation windows that really add to the look.

All in all, a fun build and resulting model of a battle weary aircraft ready for more flying and fighting.