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Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5

Royal Aircraft Factory · Fighter · UK · Pioneer Age (pre-1919)

Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5 — Fighter
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The Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 is a British biplane fighter aircraft of the First World War. It was developed at the Royal Aircraft Factory by a team consisting of Henry Folland, John Kenworthy and Major Frank Goodden. It was one of the fastest aircraft of the war, while being both stable and relatively manoeuvrable. According to aviation author Robert Jackson, the S.E.5 was: "the nimble fighter that has since been described as the 'Spitfire of World War One'".

Specifications

Category
Fixed Wing
Sub-Category
Fighter
Domain
Defence
Era
Pioneer Age (pre-1919)
Country
UK
Manufacturer
Royal Aircraft Factory
Operator
UK military
Primary Role
Fighter
Status
Retired
Service Entry
1916
Produced
5205
Propulsion
Turbojet
Engine
Wolseley Viper
Thrust / Power
200 hp
Launch
Ground
Length (ft)
20.11
Wingspan (ft)
26.7
Empty Weight (lb)
1531
MTOW (lb)
1988
Endurance (hr)
2.5
Service Ceiling (ft)
19500
Range (mi)
300
Max Speed (mph)
138
Armament
1x .303 Vickers (sync); 1x .303 Lewis (overwing)