Tony Ray’s Aero Model RAF SE5a

This Tony Ray’s laser cut balsa scale model of the RAF SE5a is a micro balsa construction kit, designed for RC use with micro radio equipment (sold separately), though it is also ideal for building as a static display model.

Great for flying outdoors in small spaces such as parks or playing fields on calm days, the model is also suitable for indoor flying (sport hall etc.).

Accessories such as glues, basic craft tools and a flat modelling board will be required to complete, as well as your choice of RC equipment.

Features 

Accurate laser cut balsa and hardwood/ply parts

Tissue covering material

Carbon fibre pushrods

Rubber tyres

Micro fittings (hinges, screws, heat-shrink etc.)

8.5mm Motor with Gear Box and Propeller

Wing and tail plan sheets.

Instruction Manual (as .pdf download)

 

Specifications 

Model: RAF SE5a

Wingspan: 380mm

Class: Scale Display Model, 1:20 scale

Building Skill: Experienced

Material: Balsa wood

Flying Weight: 42.5 – 50g

 

Recommended Parts (Not Included)

Servo: 1.7g Servo x2

Receiver: Micro 4CH receiver (or use our RXH62A board)

Transmitter: 2.4G 4ch

Battery: 1S 3.7V 150mAh 

*These parts can be purchased from our eBay shop Steve_Webb_Models or from our store ServoShop and Steve Webb Models

 

Hints and Tips

Tony Ray’s Laser Cut Balsa Scale SE5A model is such a lovely looking aircraft it can be built static or as a flying model. It has been designed to take Micro Radio Control and various types can be fitted or adapted. 

Some might want to use donor RC gear from UMX aircraft that are passed their fly by date or you can go the recommended route of installing the RC or with very small modifications fit an RC board with servos and ESC installed (the type of board used in the E-Flite, ParkZone, FlyZone, Ares Models etc.).

The model, like the full size has a short nose and long rear fuselage section. This can lead to tail heavy C of G problems and care must be taken to keep the rear end as light as possible. It is quite likely that you will need nose weight to balance the model, or will need to mount the battery as far forward as possible. This is normal for this type of aircraft.

To keep the weight down, covering the model in tissue is the obvious choice.

Our own Tony Ray Models have had tissue applied with Pritt stick and then shrunk with water. We have not bothered to dope our indoor models and they have proved to be robust enough for indoors without Dope. Of course, using convention Dope or Eze Dope will strengthen the model, though will add weight.

Other lightweight model coverings such as LiteSpan or SoLite could also be used.

The laser cutting makes building a joy. If a part does not fit, you have it in the wrong place

A link to download the .pdf manual will be sent included with the kit, if you require this sending by email, or require an additional copy for any reason after your purchase, you are welcome to message us providing your email address and we will supply a direct link to you, where it can be downloaded free of charge.

 

The Full Size Aircraft

The Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5.a

Role: Single-seat fighter

Designer: Henry Folland / John Kenworthy

First flight: 22 November 1916

Introduction: March 1917

Primary users: Royal Flying Corps, United States Army Air Service, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force

Number built: 5,205

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.