Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a - Original 100+ year old WWI Combat veteran.

[@andrewbranch4075]

When I was a kid I built one of those kielcraft rubber band powered jobs. She was a lovely flyer but it was a long walk to get her back

[@kgs42]

It is a very advanced-looking design for its time, the tail fin especially could be a late WW2 shape. A neat engine cowling as well. It could be - somewhat - of the Gladiator / Swordfish era. Looks attractively purposeful IMO.

[@camulodunon]

Very nice take.

[@cal-native]

Really wonderful to see an honest to goodness real World War I veteran aircraft actually in flight. It's a very rare sight indeed. Great videography!

[@HighFlight]

Thanks!🙃👍

[@bobdyer422]

SE, Spad, DVII & Albatross my favorite WWI planes. Lewis on upper wing is cool. Who da guessed Peter Jackson would be such a fan! Brilliant! Beautiful SE!

[@maryrafuse2297]

The greatest of them all to fly the SE5 was William Avery Bishop VC, DSO, MC & DFC. German pilots referred to him as Hell's Handmaiden. Total number of aircraft destroyed 72 + three balloons.

[@HighFlight]

Thankyou for that information. I had heard of 'Billy' Bishop but was not aware of his full story or service history, so have taken the opportunity to read a bit and will do some more research.😊

[@maryrafuse3851]

@@HighFlight Thankyou for your interest. The King referring to his awards suggested playfully to Billy Bishop that he might be referred to as Arch Bishop. Great to know that royals do possess a sense of humor. Probably much more than we realize. Great video, it has been wonderful to see the SE5a in flight. Love from Canada.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@HighFlight Billy Bishop Airport, Toronto, Canada.

[@HighFlight]

@@maryrafuse3851 Sorry that I didn't see your reply when it was posted. A nice piece of information and yes, I guess that 'The Royals' do have a sense of humour. Thanks for liking the video and all the best from England.

[@kyleJohn1997]

That would be the likes of Albert Ball, James McCudden and Edward 'Mick' Mannock

[@phil5460]

This was one of my first Rubber powered Keil kraft kits that I built in the late 60s, and resonly was given a RC version to rebuilt with the Number 278 on the fin and letter A on the fuselage. Great camera shots. I love the old biplanes of the past.

[@HighFlight]

Thanks. Sounds like good model and RC making.

[@phil5460]

@@HighFlight Yes great fun I've just finished building an HP 0/400 40, it a pity that there are none around flying, don't known if any are preserved.

[@HighFlight]

An interesting modelling subject. There are no complete examples left. The RAF Museum has some parts, but not enough for a complete aircraft.

[@phil5460]

@@HighFlight Thanks for the reply, Have to take a look their, I known they were used as passenger planes after the first World war, Shame really that none excit, spose no one thought of persevering them at time, unlike today where a lot effect is being taken to bring back into flying condition where they can, I'm a great believer in that as it's our history. And as a Model Builder of many years I'm trying to build as many as I can Biplanes first.

[@charliecollard6433]

Yep and me but in the mid 70s,spent hours with balsa and glues and tissue paper, and pins on a board, great days and a super looking plane. good old days.

[@mothmagic1]

Probably the most modern looking of the WWI fighters. I read a report on flying the SE5 written by a Shuttleworth pilot and the one remark which has stuck in my mind is that it is quite within the capabilities of an experienced taildragger pilot.

[@453421abcdefg12345]

Many thanks for posting this, it looks like the weather was just perfect for this display.

[@HighFlight]

It's my pleasure. Yes, the weather was absolutely perfect.

[@josipvrandecic2472]

Spitfire of the First World War....appreciate it.

[@adarshlakshman4715]

wouldnt that be the camel?

[@Lutheriarotavita]

si, mucha verdad! el foker DVII es como el Bf 109!!!

[@evertonmignac-D7101]

​​@@adarshlakshman4715I honestly would consider the SE5a as the "Hurricane" of WW1, while the "Camel" to be the "Spitfire" in this case; Mostly cause the SE5a was the most stable fighter out of the two, just like the Hurricane. I know that's not the right justification, and there are probably better examples, but that's what I could see between the four.

[@-Zevin-]

@@evertonmignac-D7101 Problem with that logic is the SE5 was significantly faster than the Camel. The Camel could turn well, but it was a mostly inferior aircraft to the SE5, and downright dangerous to its own pilots, keep in mind that while the Spitfire was less stable than the hurricane it wasn't a dangerously unstable aircraft to fly and was very forgiving unlike the camel.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

My favourite WWI aircraft. Solid, no-nonsense lines.

[@FlyingBuzzard]

Beautiful aircraft

[@elisabda1]

I'm just now reading "The Burning Shore" written by Wilbur Smith and had to see what the plane looked like - amazing, beautiful! ;-)

[@comesahorseman]

The ace maker. 👍

[@SteveBrownRocks2023]

Just beautiful! 😎👍🏽

[@HighFlight]

Thanks 👍

[@rgerber]

If you take off the wheels and the upper wing it would look like a WW2 plane... It looks pretty modern

[@mithrandir1313]

Classic WW1 bipe!!

[@thomasfarr7934]

Awesome! My favorite late WW1 airplane!

[@williamvasilakis9619]

Beautiful

[@leecollins9112]

About 12 years ago I was at old warden show. and stood behide it when started it up for flight. Never forget the experience started me flying rc. Today I have rc 1/4 scale of one near ready to fly. The nearst I get with a lot detail watching this KZbin clip. One of things having trouble with is what are ribbons a symbol for if know let me know got mother inlaw roped in sowing me some ribbons together lol cheers

[@HighFlight]

Having done a little internet research it appears that the streamer ribbons were used by Squadron Commanders and Deputy Commanders so that their individual aircraft could be easily identified by other squadron pilots. The Commanders would use streamers on the rear outboard strut of each wing and the deputy on the tail (or sometimes vice versa). Each squadron had their own method and each commander/deputy their own colours. The streamer colours on this SE5A F904 appear to be the same colours as for the Belgian flag. This actual aircraft was used by Major CEM Pickthorn commander of 84 Squadron, just before wars end in 1918 to shoot down a German aircraft over the front in Belgium. These may have been the colours then?

[@leecollins9112]

Thank you

[@dylanmccallister1888]

We had a few squads at the end of the war that flew these for the US. Lots of spad VII-XI mostly and some nieuport 28 units, but a few had camels and Se5. I think the american pilots who were already fighting for france and england had a big influence on what contracts the US got to produce aircraft for the war when the pilots moved over.

[@GurpreetSingh-eu7mr]

Great plane of ww1

[@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935]

Why slobber during takeoff and landing?

[@GITMachine]

WW1 pilots had an average life expectancy of 10 weeks.

[@wibblytwwobbly4454]

Announcers and commentators curse every outdoor event.

[@HighFlight]

I agree. The main problem is that public address system is everywhere. A good show will have an area where there is no PA system at all!

[@yl9154]

Yes, especially airshows. Everyone complains about the announcers (and/or music) yet the organizers persevere. I do understand that these organization generally have an educational mandate, but maybe they could compromise and limit the PA to the first half of each performance. Especially now that anyone, who cares to, can find the information about any aircraft on the internet. Today, you don't need to by a specialized book from a specialized shop at a specialized price to find the information that these announcers are bombarding the attendance with.

[@chriscarter5720]

With the advantage of hindsight, it seems a shame that this aircraft became a combat veteran by killing a young German airman on the last full day of WW1. Nonetheless I have always loved the SE5 and, for me, there is nothing better than seeing this beautiful old girl flying in blue English skies. Long may she continue.

[@MegaPeedee]

It is a pity there was a commentary - unavoidable I know, but I would have appreciated just watching and listening to the aircraft. I have been to many air shows and I am always disappointed by the waffle blaring continuously over the loudspeakers. Air show organisers everywhere should address this and remember what it's like, or learn what it's like, being blasted by this ear drum-splitting racket. I've given a thumbs up, as it isn't the fault of the presenter.

[@HighFlight]

Thanks. I do agree. Commentators tend to think that they are being paid per word. Nothing should be said unless it's actually adding value and is required for those that know nothing about what they are looking at. A good commentator knows exactly when to keep quiet and when to talk. There aren't that many!

[@brushwolf]

00:01; Bristol F.2B Fighter