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WW1 Series

SE5a - (Scout Experimental)


One of the truly classic examples of aircraft design to emerge from WW1. Built at Farnborough and issued for RFC service from March 1917 the SE5 quickly established itself as a superior combat aircraft. Once the initial engine problems (the French engine originally used just did not work!) were resolved the SE5 became the machine of choice for many of the WW1 ‘aces’. With a service ceiling of 19,000 ft, and no oxygen supply, the pilots had to be extremely fit - quite often supplemented by the contents of a hip-flask! Some 5,000 were built with a few allocated to the American Expeditionary Force.

This replica, and it’s sister ship in Canada, perform regularly at airshows, the aircraft is finished in the colour scheme adopted by James McCudden VC while flying with 56 Sqdn RFC.

Have been interested in photography since just after WW2, when film became freely available again, using Kodak Autographic equipment. Graduated, in the 50's, to 35mm and was involved in photographic work during my 17 yrs as RAF aircrew - navigator. Since retirement and migrating to Canon digital equipment have been involved with two of my sons and one grandson in a considerable amount of photographic activity, particularly composite images. Now producing digital art prints with the major emphasis on classic warbird aviation. With son, Duncan, now becoming a well-known and published wild life photographer we have started, in 2017, a new gallery reflecting Scottish sea birds - and 'feathered' flight