Eduard SE.5a Hispano Suiza - 1:48 Eduard ProfiPACK

[Julien]

SE.5a Hispano Suiza (82132)

1:48 Eduard ProfiPACK edition

 

 

The SE.5 was a huge improvement on early WWI fighters, although it originated in 1916 as an experimental scout aircraft, designed by Henry Folland amongst others, who went on to found Folland Aircraft.  After some rather serious design problems that resulted in the death of one of the designers, the kinks were ironed out, and coupled with the powerful Hispano-Suiza engine, it became arguably the most capable fighter of the Great War.  After a short run of the original SE.5, the A variant appeared with the 200 hp Hispano Suiza engine turning a large 4 bladed prop. 

 

There were a number of aces that flew the SE.5a, and coupled with the Camel, the aircraft helped the Allies to gain air superiority over the battlefield, with more American built aircraft scheduled to join the fray that were cancelled by the Armistice reducing their usefulness to nil.  After the war many were sold into private hands and the type continued to be seen in the skies for years to come.

 

 

The Kit

This is a new tooling from Eduard, and that shows in the details that are immediately apparent when perusing the sprues.  Arriving in one of their smaller kit boxes with the familiar orange ProfiPACK branding, inside are two sprues in medium-dark grey plastic, a circular clear sprue, two frets of Photo-Etch (PE), a sheet of kabuki-style pre-cut masks, and a decal sheet with 5 options.  The quality of the kit is outstanding, the parts are crisply moulded, with lots of finley executed stitching, ribs, hinges and fasteners depicted in a mixture of engraved and raised forms.  The cockpit is also well detailed, with additions in PE to bring the detail level up where needed. The kit comes with PE belts and instrument  panels, which are pre-painted with fine details to enhance the finish.  The cockpit framework is inserted into a representation of the inner structural framing along with the seat, fuel tank, controls and cross-braces, which once painted in your preferred manner to simulate wood, are laced with bracing wires to further enhance the detail, but you will need to provide the necessary wires/thread.  The cockpit floor is moulded into the lower wing, and here additional ammo cans are stored for the overwing Lewis gun, with another above the instrument panel, which has its plastic details removed before installation of the improved PE version.  The dials are raised, so individual PE faces have been supplied on the fret, and great care will be needed to ensure these don't ping off into oblivion. 

 

 

 

With the cockpit installed in the lower wing, which is a one-piece arrangement by the way, the fuselage is then closed around the assembly, trapping a number of formers within the front section under the engine bay.  The engine is then built up, beginning with the sump, banks of pistons, rocker covers and exhaust manifold, to which some additional plug wires and other details could be added if the modeller wishes.  The pilot's cockpit decking is also built up at this time, with a clear access panel on one side that is fitted with a PE surround, and a small winder with a PE handle at the joint with the main fuselage.  These are both installed later after the upper fuselage section between them is added, and the separate ailerons and elevator fins are glued into their positions.  At this point a number of clear triangular inspection windows are inserted into the wings and elevator fins, to show off the moulded-in control detail that will need painting beforehand.  A choice of two types of elevator are offered, and the fuselage mounted machine gun is installed just prior to the top decking being closed up.  A choice of curved or straight windscreen glass is given, and a simple sighting device with PE mounts is fitted to the top after filling in the slot for a simplified plastic version of the mount.  The radiator is mated with the cowling as it is fitted, after which the upper wing is prepared for fitting.

 

 

 

Another set of clear inspection panels and PE surrounds are fixed into the wing before it is lined up with the struts and glued in place, usually after much of the painting and rigging is already completed.  The ailerons are repeated on the upper wings, and PE arms are fitted, replacing the simple plastic pegs moulded into the parts.  The fixed landing gear consists of an aerodynamic triangular frame on each side of the lower fuselage with an axle between them with an aerofoil section.  Once complete, it can be installed on the underside of the fuselage in sockets that should hold it firmly in position, and a similar attachment scheme is used for the tail bumper at the rear.  The rudder is also fixed at this late stage, with a PE actuator rod replacing the plastic nub that is moulded in.  Tail-wheel steering is the order of the day, and another actuator is added under the tail, again replacing the nub on that part too.  The Lewis gun and its mount is added to the upper wing right at the end with the circular magazine receiving a PE carry handle and outer face, while the muzzle gets a tiny iron sight.  As one decal option doesn't carry the wing mounted gun, it should be filled, but as early in the build as possible to make life easier.  A two blade prop or 4 blade prop is fitted depending on the decal option being made. A  full page of wiring diagrams are included on the last page of the instructions, with the wires picked out in blue against the airframe to make spotting them easier.

 

 

Markings

The basic colour scheme of most SE.5as was green/olive drab with a linen colour underside, and whatever additional  markings the pilot applied.  There are quite a variation on the theme with the provided options, with the exception of the camouflage scheme from the 40 Sqn machine.  From the box you can build one of the following:

 

1. D3511, Maj. R. S. Dallas, No. 40 Squadron, Bruay Airfield, France, May 1918
2. C9539, Capt. H. G. Forrest, No. 2 Sqd, Australian Flying Corps, Savy - Berlette, France, March 1918
3. C5303, Lt. L. N. Franklin, No. 56 Squadron, Baizieux, France, March 1918
4. F5910, Lt. W. G Claxton, No. 41 Squadron, Lealvillers, France Feb 1918
5. D5969, Lt. C. H. R. Lagesse, No. 29 Squadron, St. Omer, France, June 1918

 

 

Decals are in house by Eduard and should pose no problems.

 

 

Conclusion

This is a great model from Eduard which has the same Superb detail and some really nice decal options,  PE and masks as the Wolseley Viper release.

 

Very highly recommended.

 

 

Review sample courtesy of

[Mancunian airman]

 

 

May consider this improved version, I wish to build the aircraft flown by Capt. Albert Ball V.C. at the time of his death 1917

 

Thanks for the review, certainly looks to be well moulded..
 

 

 

[Smithy]

If I didn't have 2 48th scale Rodens I'd jump at this. One of the lovely things about this kit is the treatment of the pulley inspection windows - brilliant!

 

Many thanks for the review.

 

2 hours ago, Mancunian airman said:

 

 

May consider this improved version, I wish to build the aircraft flown by Capt. Albert Ball V.C. at the time of his death 1917

 

Thanks for the review, certainly looks to be well moulded..
 

 

 

 

Just be aware that Ball's A'4850 was an SE5 not an SE5a so you'd need to change a few things to make it accurate if you wished to do so, exhaust stacks, radiator, etc.

 

Cheers,

 

Tim

 

[Steve86]

Good review Julien, I like the decal options.

Edited December 1, 2017 by Steve86