Photograph:
Replica Plans SE.5a VH-CIC (c/n V62) at Mangalore, VIC on 21 April 1984 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Canada
Description:
Single-seat sport biplane
Power Plant:
One 63 kw (85 hp) Continental C-85 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 6.96 m (22 ft 10 in)
- Length: 5.5 m (18 ft 2 in)
- Height: 2.18 m (7 ft 2 in)
- Wing area: 13.01 m² ((140 sq ft)
- Max speed at sea level: 145 km/h (90 mph)
- Max cruising speed: 137 km/h (85 mph)
- Max rate of climb at sea level: 152 m/min (500 ft/min)
- Stalling speed: 56 km/h (35 mph)
- Service ceiling: 3,048 m (10,000 ft)
- Range: 402 km (250 miles)
- Fuel capacity: 68 litres (15 imp gals)
- Take-off run: 122 m (400 ft)
- Landing run: 107 m (350 ft)
- Empty weight: 358 kg (790 lb)
- Loaded weight: 499 kg (1,100 lb)
History:
This aircraft, marketed by Replica Plans of Chilliwack, British Colombia, Canada was designed as a scaled-down replica of the famous SE.5a fighter of World War I, incorporating modern techniques and a modern American engine to permit the aircraft to be built by amateur constructors. Design work on the SE.5a Replica began in Canada in 1969, and construction of the prototype began shortly thereafter. This machine was flown for the first time in 1970, and was certificated to FAA standards in the experimental (homebuilt) category the following year. Engines varying in power from 48 kw (65 hp) to 75 kw (100 hp) are usually fitted, although engines of higher power may be installed, and these have included the Continental C-85, C-90, O-200 and the Lycoming O-235.
The wing was of wooden structure, with the leading edge being covered with fibreglass or aluminium, the remainder being fabric covered. The fuselage was a ply-skinned box structure, with a fabric covered turtledeck and aluminium covered forward top section. The tail was of wooden structure with fabric covering, and the undercarriage was of the tailwheel-type and fixed.
A number of examples of the type have been built in this region. The first two completed in New Zealand were ZK-SET (c/n AACA/266) built by Stuart Tantrum of Levin, painted as B4863 and fitted with a Lycoming O-235 engine; the other, ZK-EHV (c/n 352), built by Thomas Grant of Mosgiel, fitted with a Continental O-200 engine and first registered in October 1977. Its registration was later changed to ZK-TOM. A further example was imported to Wanaka, NZ where it has been placed in a museum in the markings of New Zealand WW I pilot Donald Inglis, shot down on 26 July 1918, with the serial E1294.
The first Se.5a replica completed in Australia was VH-CIC (c/n V62) built by Clive Canning and fitted with an 88 kw (118 hp) Lycoming O-235-L2C engine, this aircraft later being re-registered with the RAA as 19-5406.