Keith 'Grid' Caldwell's SE.5a?

[ianbw12]

Hi,

My apologies if I've missed a thread already dealing with this, but couldn't find anything under search.

Has anyone got any photos or profiles of any of the SE.5as that the Kiwi fighter pilot Keith Caldwell would have flown in WWI, please?

I have the new Wingnut Wings model and want to sort out a scheme to build (eventually... sigh)!

Thanks and Cheers,
Ian

[Dave Homewood]

Ian, the one that he had his famous crash in where he stepped off the wing at the last minute has been faithfully replicated at the AHC at Omaka. Do a search for photos of that, both on the forum and Google Image.

I have a list of the aircraft with serials he was flying when he scored his kills on my webpage on him here:
www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/Keith%20Caldwell.htm

[ianbw12]

Thanks Dave- found that information already, but wasn't sure that the display was accurate... are there any photos around of this machine that you know of, please?

Also, do you know what particular mark of SE.5 D6864 is, please? I'm hoping to be able to build it from the Wingnut kit!

Cheers,
Ian

[phas3e]

I've had a look through Ospreys Se5 aces and although his story is told their theres only a photo of him not one of any of his aircraft.

[Dave Homewood]

I would imagine that the AHC's depiction is as accurate as possible. I don't know of any photos of any of Grid's aircraft however, but surely some must exist somewhere.

[ianbw12]

Thanks guys- I'd say the lack of any photo in the Osprey book may indicate none exist. I'll go with the AHC version if I find nothing else I guess.

I need to learn what differences existed between different models of SE.5 to make a stab at what version his would have been- anyone know if the serial numbers to aircraft were allocated sequentially, that is numbers above and below a particular serial would indicate aircraft coming into service about the same time from the same manufacturer?

Great story with him jumping off the wing BTW, eh?!

Thanks again,
Ian

[Dave Homewood]

It's one of the best stories of escape i reckon. It's like the sort of thing Lord Flasheart would do.

I'm not sure what you mean about the 'model' of aircraft. I know he was flying SE5a's, but were they different variants within that designation?

Keith joined No. 74 Squadron in January 1918, when they were flying Avro 504K's, but they got SE5a's in March 1918. Have you checked Ira "Taffy" Jones's book Tiger Squadron to see if there are any photos or details in there? It's apparently about No. 74 Squadron in WWI.

If no luck, try The Aerodrome forum, it's packed to the gunnels with WWI aircraft experts.

[ianbw12]

Thanks again, Dave- I see that book is on Trade Me now! And have just registered with the Aerodrome. WWI aviation has never been an interest of mine, until the Wingnut kits!

[Radialicious]

ianbw12 - there is a photo in the AHC of a factory producing Sopwith Snipes dated November 1918. There is no-one in the picture (because they are probably out partying), but dozens of airframes from the bare beginnings to completed machines. It is clear from the photo that the serials and markings of these machines are sequential and I imagine their only their delivery destinations would break this sequence up.

[ianbw12]

Hey, that's awesome thanks, Radialicious!

[allok]

I was thinking along the same lines, with my Wingnuts kit... untill somebody told me this:

do you mean Keith (Grid) Caldwell allok? if yes---it's the wrong engine mate--wingnut's is the hispano-suiza version, not wolsely viper (rodens first).
dave.

[ianbw12]

Thanks for that- he flew several different SE.5s though- how do we know what engine each of his aircraft would have had? I still haven't seen any photos of any aircraft he flew.

Cheers,
Ian

[allok]

Also a valid point and what I was thinking.
The wingnuts kit looks superb, can't wait to start mine.