Title:

SE.5a

Author:

Edward Kocent-Zielinski

Publisher

Kagero

Price

$21.95 ($19.97 at Squadron)

Reviewer:

Scott Van Aken

Notes: Legends of Aviation # 4. ISBN 83-89088-61-4

Continuing with the 'Legends of Aviation' series, it is in the now standard 9x12 softbound format and consists of 72 pages on high quality, glossy paper. As with all Kagero books it is a combination of Polish and English. While there are some rather odd uses of syntax, it is not something that makes the book unreadable.

The book begins with the usual operational story to set the scene then goes into a brief history of the forming of the Royal Flying Corps (called the British Air Force in the book). Then there is the development of the SE.5, which in many respects is the search for a decent liquid cooled aero engine. The SE.5 used a rather large variety of V-8 power plants and much of the book covers these variants. The airframe was also built by quite a few different manufacturers; each adding their own small trademarks to the aircraft.

When one gets into the operational use of the SE.5, the author has chosen to do a brief synopsis of the aircraft's use by squadron. This section is divided into operational theaters with the Western Front receiving the lion's share of attention. It is followed by foreign use of the SE.5, in some cases being as few as one or two airframes. The final written sections cover museum and replica aircraft, as well as camouflage and markings.

Kagero is known for its diagrams section and this one is no exception with many pages of drawings to 1/48 scale that note all the differences in the airframe over its life time. Following this section are two pages of profiles covering 8 aircraft. Profiles are also in the inside of the front cover and the outside of the back cover. Every Kagero book now comes with decals by Techmod. This book has markings for three RFC, one Australian, and one Polish aircraft. These are covered by the profiles and with the exception of the Polish aircraft (which is just insignia), offer only unique markings. Insignia need to come from the kits used or other sources. The markings are in both 1/72 and 1/48 scale.

Overall, a really fine, if somewhat disjointed reference on the type and one that I can recommend.

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