Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA37710
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a Diecast Model
RFC No.56 Sqn, A8898, Albert Ball, Vert Galant Aerodrome, France, May 5th 1917 | |
| 1:48 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a | | 5.25" | | 6.75" |
SE5a A8898, the personal aircraft of Captain Albert Ball VC, No.56 Squadron Royal Flying Corps, Vert Galant Aerodrome, Amiens, France, 5th May 1917 - Final victory in an SE5a At a time when Britain was suffering horrendous losses on the Western Front and the nation was in desperate need of a hero, they found what they needed in a handsome young fighter pilot from Nottingham named Albert Ball. Fiercely patriotic and desperate to do his duty, Ball had displayed both bravery and real flying skill in amassing an impressive victory tally in a relatively short period of combat and by September 1916, he had at least 31 victories to his name, making him Britain's most successful flying ace. The majority of his victories were scored whilst flying the nimble Nieuport Scout and when he was forced to exchange this for the new, but heavier Royal Aircraft Factory SE5 on joining the elite No.56 Squadron RFC, he was initially less than impressed.
He soon came to appreciate the rugged and heavily armed new fighter, as it was more than a match for the latest German Albatros D.IIIs he was now facing in combat. During a period of combat inactivity due to bad weather, 56 Squadron ground crews painted several of their SE5 fighters in flamboyant schemes, reportedly in response to the colourful German aircraft which were opposing their pilots. This unusual embellishment would prove to be relatively short lived, as higher authority took a dim view of the practice and ordered the markings removed immediately.
Designed by H.P.Folland as an easy-to-fly fighter, The Royal Aircraft Factory's S.E.5a bi-plane was first flown in 1917. Together with the Sopwith Camel, the S.E.5 was instrumental in regaining allied air superiority. Both friend and foe recognized the S.E.5 as a formidable fighting machine. It was fast, extremely strong and easy to fly, and was the aircraft of many WWI aces. Later model S.E.5a's had Wolseley Viper 200 hp engines, which ended the engine problems of earlier designs. A Vickers gun was fired through the air screw with synchronizing gear, and a Lewis could be fired over the top wing or directly upwards. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:48 scale S.E.5a models are a part of their popular WWI series. These models are beautifully detailed, with fine gauge wire used to represent bracing wires between the simulated fabric stretched wings. The cylinder heads of the V-8 Hispano-Suiza engine rise through the cowling and feature separately applied long exhaust pipes on both sides of the fuselage. A finely detailed photo-etched metal gun sight and a telescopic "Aldis" gun sight are mounted in front of a detailed pilot figure. The Lewis machine gun, with its Foster mount, is wonderfully detailed on the top wing. A two or four bladed propeller is mounted in front of the radiator shutters, and there is a gun port for the second, internal gun. The model rests on rolling rubber tires that accurately simulate the gray color that vulcanized natural rubber takes on after prolonged exposure to sunlight.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Corgi "Aviation Archive" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. The vast Aviation Archive range has become the standard by which all other diecast airplane ranges are judged. Each Corgi model is based on a specific aircraft from an important historical or modern era of flight, and has been authentically detailed from original documents and archival library material. Famous airplanes and aviators from both military and commercial airline aviation are all honored.
Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
- Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
- Detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.
- Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
