When Did the SE5a Become Operarational?

[Roadhog]

Dear Forum mates, When did the SE5a scouts generally become operational in northern France? Thanks, Scott Price, a.k.a. Roadhog

[R Gannon]

Roadhog

I thought this was basic WW1 airwar basic knowledge. But such is the blinding glare of MvR & Voss that basics are now quickly forgotten. Even without my notes SE5's became operational in late Apr 17 with 56 Sqn. 60 Sqn converted to them in Aug 17. In July 17 the 200hp versions began to arrive to which the designation SE5a belongs. 84 Sqn were next in Oct 18 and others followed suit over the winter of 17/18. In my humble opinion the SE5 heralded the end of the 'happy time' for the Jagdstafflen - they soon began to feel the SE5 pinch. Indeed even when the Fok DVII came on the scene, they never really dominated the SE5's.

Cheers Russ.

[Roadhog]

Dear Mr. Gannon thank you for the lesson in basics. The fact is that I am laying flat on my back in bed and cannot go up the stairs to my books prompted this question. I am simply fact checking something for my novel before my parts of it are sent out to readers.

I'll try not to bother anybody else in the future. Sincerely, Maj. Scott Price, USAR (Retired)

[Roadhog]

Dear Mr. Gannon, I apologize for the tone of my earlier post. I had a massive heart attack last week and after four days in the hospital I was allowed to come home. My wife made up a temporary bedroom for me in the first floor of our farm house and I have to stay in bed, although I sneak across the hall to use the bathroom.

I cannot climb any stairs until the doctor gives me permisssion and that is where my library is. My wife and kids all had to go back to work and I am here alone.

I was seeking to get a fact confirmed this morning. Most of my friends know of my medical condition. Obviously you did not. Excuse any mispellings and typos but I am pretty heavily medicated. Once again sir, I beg your pardon. VR, Scott Price

[Kilian]

Hello Major.
You can read this here also:
>>Click Here!!<<

mfG
Kilian

[Roadhog]

Thanks buddy I will. Scott

[R Gannon]

Roadhog / Scott

My apologies I didn't know - I only get a short time on this site, so I don't get the chance to wade through all the threads.

I get fed up with some of the twaddle I see from some contributers - I guess I jumped before I really looked.

Hope you get better soon.

Cheers

Russ.

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Roadhog:
The S.E.5a were issued to:
56 Sqdn in early July 1917. Geared Hisso (GH). Initial engine.
60 Sqdn in August '17. GH.
84 Sqdn in Sept.'17. GH.
40 Sqdn in Oct.'17. GH.
41 Sqdn in Nov.'17. GH.
32 Sqdn in early Dec.'17 Direct drive Hisso, round top radiator.DdH, rtr.
24 Sqdn in late Dec.'17 GH.
29 Sqdn in late Dec.'17. Viper.
1 Sqdn in Jan.'18 DdH,rtr.
64 Sqdn in Jan.'18 GH
68 Sqdn in Jan.'18 GH
74 Sqdn in Mar.'18 Ddh, rtr and Viper.
143 Sqdn in Apr.'18 GH
50 Sqdn in May'18 GH.
85 Sqdn in May'18 Viper.
150 Sqdn in May '18 GH
111 Sqdn in Jun.'18 GH
92 Sqdn in Jul.'18 Viper.
As might be seen the 200 hp and the 220 hp geared Hispano-Suiza was the main engine until late December 1917. The Geared Hisso continued in service in the S.E.5a until the end of the war. The 200 hp Wolseley Viper engine was a late comer and only four Squadrons received their S.E.5a machines with the Wolseley Viper engine as initial equipment beginning in December 1917. Of the 5000 plus S.E.5a built, only a little over a 1000 were equipped with the 200 hp Viper direct drive engine
Blue skies,
Dan-San

[Roadhog]

Dear Dan, Kilian and Russ, Thank you all for helping me out. My son dug out my copy of Bloody April from my stack of books today so I am all set research wise to thanks to you. Your combined expertise saved me from making a basic simple stupid mistake of having SE5as appear in the book too soon.

I am trying so hard to write a fictional account but still keep the basic facts correct. I cannot thank you enough. Once I fix this goof any body who wants to can read the revised version. I will be sending a copy to TAZ no later than Monday and I'd be honored to add your names to the mailing list. VR, Scott