Aviation Artist Nicolas Trudgian range of SE 5 aircraft aviation signed art prints.  These pages are dedicated to the artwork of aviation artist Nicolas Trudgian, including the full range of aviation prints published by the Military Gallery of which Cranston Fine Arts have purchased the last remaining prints. These 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 past 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.