Royal Aircraft Factory SE 5a

A formidable fighter used extensively in the First World War, and second only to the Sopwith Camel in reputation, the SE 5a was the most successful Royal Aircraft Factory design.

The SE 5a was flown by some of the leading British fighter pilots including Beauchamp-Proctor, Bishop, Mannock and McCudden. Wartime urgency meant five companies produced 5,125 SE 5a aircraft in less than 18 months. This example was one of a fleet of Hendon-based SE 5a aircraft operated by the Savage Skywriting company from 1924 to 1930. It was built in Birmingham in 1918 and flew with the RAF Occupation Forces in Germany in 1919.