Roden 1/32 RAF SE5a (w/Hispano Suiza) | 602

  One of the most successful British fighters of WWI, the S.E.5a was built in 1917 under the direction of the Royal Aircraft Factory's leading designer, H.P. Folland. The predecessor of the S.E.5a was the S.E.5 the first attempt to adapt Hispano Suiza's promising new engine to the British airplane. The S.E.5 was built in relatively small numbers because the new engine was too unreliable due to various shortcomings. It caused numerous problems in service but in spite of that, the Royal Flying Corps' 56 Squadron gained many impressive successes with the type and one famous British ace of the time, Albert Ball, considered the S.E.5 the best of the best. The appearance of an improved and more powerful 200 h.p. Hispano Suiza engine allowed designers to revise and develop the design of the aircraft and release its potential. In comparison with its predecessor the outline of the edges of the wings was changed slightly, and the huge glass 'greenhouse' canopy gave way to a standard windscree