Fear the Mongoose - SE5a Repaint

[flash]

It should maybe read "Fear the 'stab in the dark' at the Mongoose".
I have been trying for a while to find some pics of SE5a' flown by Frank 'Mongoose' Soden whilst with 41 Sqn but have failed to find anything satisfactory. He joined the sqn as a flight leader so I surmised his kite would be marked A,G or N (for A,B & C flight leaders). It appears Capt Claxton was A flight leader in Aug 18 so I had a 50/50 chance. Anyway here it is:


I selected the post Mar 1918 sqn markings of 2 vertical bars aft the fuselage cockade & selected G for the B flight leader. (sods law will tell me I'm wrong!). I used Doms decals (AFC Snipe set)


I chose Mongoose as a subject for a number of reasons - he died the day I was born; He was a multi ace with 27 victories yet hardly decorated (DFC & Bar [Iraq]); he served in both wars; born Canadian (As was late mum in law - SWMBO is technically part Canuck/Yank/Brit) and here's some footage of him HERE which I have posted before but worth doing again !
The footage identified as: "The footage of Bishop was shot at 60 Squadron, at Filescamp Farm on 22 July 1917. Captain William "Moley" Molesworth wrote about being filmed in one of his letters home, saying something to the effect that they no longer considered Charlie Chaplin such a big thing now that they were all budding cinema stars. The long-nosed chap with the dog to the (viewer's) left of Bishop is Lt. Frank Soden, and as has been pointed out, "Grid" Caldwell is easily recognizable to the right of Bishop. In fact, panning from left to right, the pilots were : 2/Lt. Jenkins, Lt. Soden (with dog), 2/Lt. Steele (in the background), Bishop, Caldwell, and Molesworth. A nice still photo taken at the same time appears in C & C G.B., Vol. 11 No. 2, page 49." Greg van Wyngarden at The Aerodrome.

More pics in Album

[Pseudotheist]

It should maybe read "Fear the 'stab in the dark' at the Mongoose".

In the end, it always seems to come to that. I seriously doubt anyone's gonna call you out on an RFC paint scheme (unless it's to question your choice of "PC10"...). I always like a plane more when I know it's had some research behind it.

[Blackronin]

I don't mind variations of reality when people tried their best and variations are the best they can get. Your plane is beautiful.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

First. A nice addition to your SE5s. Dave.
Second. i had not seen that footage. It was enthralling. It is great to see replicas flying, but to see the real thing, backed up with the everyday running of an airstrip was exceptional.
Thanks.
Rob.

[Archidamus]

Nice one Dave - and like Wingco, I hadn't seen that footage either so many thanks for (re)posting

[flash]

Glad you liked it fellas, I thought it was worth putting out there again - shows you how they could really throw some of those kites about too !

[Algynon]

Excellent footage, I can watch it again and again.

[BobP]

Correct or not excellant paint job Dave.

[gully_raker]

Excellent job, Dave!
Your Soden shares the "G" designation with my James McCudden SE 5a from 56 Sqd.
I wanted to give you a Rep Point but I have to share it around first.

[flash]

Had the same problem with Wombles seaplanes Barry - have to share the love !!

[Womble]

The repaint's great and the film's fantastic, both made with incredible quality. Thanks.

[Hunter]

I like your repaint. Looks authentic to me!

[Guntruck]

That looks very nice Dave.

[Nightbomber]

Very nice repaint indeed. I think the brown-green colour applied is perfect.
It's a real pity Entente scouts had not so many inspiring cammo schemes; I wish they had. It's quite strange, that the Germans, so to say disciplined and mustered soldiers ("Ordnung muss sein"), were allowed to fly a parrot-like planes, while the other side was so conservative. Think what fantastic repaint contests we would have here!

[Lloydthegamer]

Your repaint is beautiful. Thanks for posting the link to the video, great stuff! Lloyd