SE5a Skywriter - Roden 1/72 scale kit conversion

 

 

 

 

What are you smoking?

In the early 20's a system was perfected in England to write on the sky. The advertisement possibilities soon became evident, and an American businessman imported civil conversions of SE5a planes, pilots and know-how across the pond. The art of skywriting has survived ever since.

An entertaining and educational conversion of an old mount, that is relatively easy to do and looks quite smart in its new decor.

If you have a Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a in your pile and would like to display it in a more peaceful -and shinier- role, this is your chance. The roaring 20s are here!

Even if a few things in the Roden kit need careful hands, it must be said that the detail is fantastic.

You only need to add the extended pipes "wrapped in asbestos", cut the rudder, smooth the fuselage front top, give the impression of added metal panels at the sides of the cockpit area, and get the decals (the decal set is from Arctic Decals in Finland).

For some articles and background on the subject and constructions notes please refer to the step-by-step building post here:

https://wingsofintent.blogspot.com/2022/11/skywriting-se5a-modified-roden-172nd-kit.html