Aviation Artist Nicolas Trudgian range of SE 5 aircraft aviation
signed art prints. This site is dedicated to the artwork of Aviation
artist Nicolas Trudgian. Including the full range of Aviation prints
published by the Military Gallery which Cranston Fine Arts have purchased the
last remaining prints. Which include many rare items. many of Nicolas
Trudgian prints have been signed by Many of the Top Fighter and Bomber Pilots
of World war two over the pats Decade. and many of these great Pilots are no
longer with us. This could be the last chance to own a piece of history which
will soon be no longer available except on the more expensive secondary
market.
The third
S.E.5 produced (A4563) became, in effect, the prototype S.E.5a with a
200hp Hispano Suiza power plant and shorter span wings. The S.E.5.a went
to No56, No.40 and No.60 squadrons from June 1917, and by the end of the
year No's 24, 41, 68 and 84 squadron had taken them on charge. After
troubles with the reduction gear of the Hispano Suiza together with a
general shortage of these power plants, the direct drive Wolseley Viper
became the standard S.E.5a power unit. The S.E.5.a built a fine reputation
for strength, performance and general flying quality, which together with
the Sopwith Camel was the main reason for the Allies gaining and
maintaining air superiority during 1918. Some aircraft were fitted with
four 25lb (11kg) Cooper bombs on under fuselage racks. The S.E.5.a also
service in the Middle East and several home defence units in 1918. At the
end of World War I over 2,000 S.E.5.a aircraft were in service with the
RAF. The type had served with 24 British, 2 US and 1 Australian Squadrons.
After its 'demob' 50 of these aircraft were supplied to Australia, 12 to
Canada with several more to other countries including South Africa, Poland
and the United States of America. 50 came onto the British register and
were used for developing the art of sky-writing. The S.E.5.a will always
remain one of aviation's great warplanes.
