WWI First World War RFC Tinplate Model Of British Fighter S.E.5a On Its Propeller Hub

~ WWI First World War RFC Tinplate Model Of British Fighter S.E.5a On Its Propeller Hub ~

A WWI First World War Royal Flying Corps RFC interest tinplate model of a British fighter plane, mounted atop an original vintage mahogany propeller boss / hub.

The hub with various stamping’s and official markings, I can make out 200 HP Hispano Suiza D251 No. 89

This most likely refers to the engine Hispano-Suiza 8 from circa 1917. This engine was fitted to the S.E.5 series of WW1 figther aircraft.

The tinplate model is of an vintage unknown make, but well detailed and is complete with its pilot and moving propeller. It depicts the S.E.5.a.

A great display piece.

~ S.E.5 ~

The Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 was a British biplane fighter aircraft of the First World War. It was developed at the Royal Aircraft Factory by a team consisting of Henry Folland, John Kenworthy and Major Frank Goodden. It was one of the fastest aircraft of the war, while being both stable and relatively manoeuvrable. According to aviation author Robert Jackson, the S.E.5 was: “the nimble fighter that has since been described as the ‘Spitfire of World War One'”.

In most respects the S.E.5 had superior performance to the rival Sopwith Camel, although it was less immediately responsive to the controls. Problems with its Hispano-Suiza engine, particularly the geared-output H-S 8B-powered early versions, meant that there was a chronic shortage of the type until well into 1918. Thus, while the first examples had reached the Western Front before the Camel, there were fewer squadrons equipped with the S.E.5 than with the Sopwith fighter.

Together with the Camel, the S.E.5 was instrumental in regaining allied air superiority in mid-1917 and maintaining it for the rest of the war, ensuring there was no repetition of “Bloody April” 1917 when losses in the Royal Flying Corps were much heavier than in the Luftstreitkräfte. The S.E.5s remained in RAF service for some time following the Armistice that ended the conflict; some were transferred to various overseas military operators, while a number were also adopted by civilian operators.

~ Condition ~

The piece is in good order.

~ Dimensions ~

The propeller hub is 22.5 cm (9 inches) across, 23.5 cm (9.25 inches) and 16.5 cm (6.5 inches) deep.

The total height is 42 cm (16.5 inches).

The aeroplane has a wingspan of  31.5 cm (12.5 inches), the length is 25.5 cm (10 inches).

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