SE5 - oil on canvas - 30"x24" - Private collection

The SE5, after an inauspicious start because of problems with engine power and reliability, was put to good use by the First World War aces.

Built by the Royal Aircraft Factory around the Hispano-Suiza engine the prototype flew in November 1916 - impressing its test pilot rather more than the ace Albert Ball who flew it some days later and compared it unfavourably with his Nieuport.

Unlike that other legendary WW1 fighter the Sopwith Camel, which, although highly manoeuvrable, was tricky to fly and killed many of its inexperienced pilot, the SE5 was well behaved and a steady if unexciting gun platform. It was also fast and relatively strong.

Among the many pilots who flew it to great effect were Major "Mick" Mannock VC. Lt Col "Billy" Bishop VC, Major J McCudden VC, Capt A Beauchamp-Proctor VC, and Lt Rhys- Davids who was flying one with 56 Squadron when he was involved in the fight that resulted in the death of the great German ace Werner Voss.

Rhys-Davids was credited with bringing down Voss although it was possible that the brave German, who had alone faced at least nine British aircraft in the unequal fight and managed to disable several of them, had already been hit.