SE5a calamity

**Boney10** · 11-20-2010 12:05

Hi guys, while attempting a repaint of my Bishop SE5a in my hamfisted removal from its box packaging I have managed to break off one of the propellor blades ( yes I know i am ) Tried gluing but this turned into a disaster.
However looking through Osprey's SE5a Aces I noticed some SE5a with just two blades on the prop.
Can anyone help, is this correct can I just lop off another blade and all will be well or do I need to go back to gluing?
The Skytrex SE5a also only has 2 blades

**tuladin** · 11-20-2010 12:18

There was a discussion about the proper number of propeller blades here:

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sho...ghlight=blades

(about the middle of the thread.)

**Flying Officer Kyte** · 11-20-2010 12:27

Originally Posted by Boney10

Hi guys, while attempting a repaint of my Bishop SE5a in my hamfisted removal from its box packaging I have managed to break off one of the propellor blades ( yes I know i am ) Tried gluing but this turned into a disaster.
However looking through Osprey's SE5a Aces I noticed some SE5a with just two blades on the prop.
Can anyone help, is this correct can I just lop off another blade and all will be well or do I need to go back to gluing?
The Skytrex SE5a also only has 2 blades

I think we decided that both are correct. The early models had 4 blades and later they swapped to two. Dom has chapter and verse on it I'm sure. If I remember, it all had to do with drag and turbulence across the aerofoils.
Rob.

**AlgyLacey** · 11-20-2010 13:38

Me, I'm a 2 blade man. Go for it!

**gregbond77** · 11-20-2010 15:18

Lop off the blade and fly away. Some had 4 and some had 2.

**MayorJim** · 11-20-2010 17:20

Here's a pic of a two-blader: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SE...r_memorial.jpg

And here's another: http://www.acepilots.com/wwi/se5a.html

And another: http://www.theaerodrome.com/aircraft...in/raf_se5.php

and one more: http://www.airmuseumsuk.org/airshow/...RAF%20SE5a.htm

So...looks like, from my limited research, that a 2 blader is probably the better representation. Of course I'm always open to being shown otherwise

**The Cowman** · 11-20-2010 23:46

I am sure that in multiple discussions during my three years of experience playing Aerodrome 1.1, it was stated that some came with two blades, and some with four. In fact I have seen Roden 1/72 scale SE.5a model kits that came with your choice of prop. I own a four blader kit (unbuilt) and a two blader. So lop away!

Note the pic:

**Boney10** · 11-21-2010 04:43

Cowman, that is just one lovely colour scheme, I can just imagine the look on a Hun's face watching that aircraft coming towards him lol.
Oh and it has been loped. Will post pics of my SE5a repaints soon

**flash** · 11-21-2010 12:45

Well done Chris - you knew it made sense ! Mine have been pruned too - I read it was to do with the gearing that allowed them to use the two bladed prop - guess it was easier to shoot through too !!

**tonyc206** · 11-21-2010 13:52

I saw these 3 replicas at Shoreham Air Show last year and they are all 2 bladers as you can see

**The Cowman** · 11-21-2010 14:27

Tony I would have loved to have been at that air show... how cool!

**tonyc206** · 11-22-2010 02:51

Originally Posted by The Cowman

Tony I would have loved to have been at that air show... how cool!

It was an excellent show. I took over 200 piccies. Lots of WW1 stuff in the air. Fokker & Sopwith triplanes.

WWII stuff was BoB flight, spitfires, hurri-bomber, mustangs, Me 108 & 109, B17.......

**Maniac** · 11-22-2010 07:28

Originally Posted by Boney10

Hi guys, while attempting a repaint of my Bishop SE5a in my hamfisted removal from its box packaging I have managed to break off one of the propellor blades ( yes I know i am ) Tried gluing but this turned into a disaster.
However looking through Osprey's SE5a Aces I noticed some SE5a with just two blades on the prop.
Can anyone help, is this correct can I just lop off another blade and all will be well or do I need to go back to gluing?
The Skytrex SE5a also only has 2 blades

Try taking some clear, thin, hard plastic (like the kind on the front of a blister for most mini companies). Trace a small round circle on it (about the same dia as the prop) and cut it out. Lop the whole prop off. With a pin vice drill into the body and insert a bit of wire. Use the same pin vice to drill a hole into the prop disc you cut out. Put onto the pin and glue. Viola!

You can see mine here: Black Sheep Customs

**Boney10** · 11-22-2010 07:52

I already have done some acetate turning blades for some of my Skytrex birds, not sure yet whether to go all hog and do them all, oh decisions decisions

**Flying Officer Kyte** · 11-22-2010 08:12

Originally Posted by Boney10

I already have done some acetate turning blades for some of my Skytrex birds, not sure yet whether to go all hog and do them all, oh decisions decisions

Just a personal thing, with no logic behind it, but I always think the discs look great on WW2 aircraft, but props look correct on WW1 planes.
Rob.