SteveInArlington
Member
I'm nearing retirement and contemplating a full-size WW1 replica project. I'm particularly interested in a DR.1, D.VII, or an SE5A. I have found plan sets from: Sands, Redfern, and NASM for the Dr.1; Replicraft, Funke, and NASM for the D.VII; but only Replicraft for SE5A.
Each project has it's own unique positive and negative characteristics. A lot of Dr.1 replicas have been built, they are well documented, and you can buy new radials for them from Rotec. There are several sources for D.VII plans; however, the down-side is finding an in-line six. As far as the SE5A goes, I could only find one source of plans, and the V8 engine will be a problem, as well.
I'm leaning toward a Dr.1 because of the expected ease of finding parts and documentation, but it is said to be a bit of a handful to fly. The D.VII was thought by many to be the best plane in the war, but I'd have to relax the engine requirements for the D.VII and buy a newer style engine (Lycoming) to power it. Finally, the SE5A was said to be the fastest and best behaved flyer of the bunch, but I'd need to find a reliable converted automotive V8 or Lycoming for it. I suspect that far fewer of the SE5As have been built - and that makes it interesting to me (ask yourself how many red Dr.1s have you seen). Still, I have to say the Dr.1 is at the top of the list today - but that could change if someone in this forum has any ideas for the SE5A.
I would appreciate another source of plans for the SE5A, ideas on a suitable V8 for it, as well as input from someone who is, or has been involved in an SE5A build.
Each project has it's own unique positive and negative characteristics. A lot of Dr.1 replicas have been built, they are well documented, and you can buy new radials for them from Rotec. There are several sources for D.VII plans; however, the down-side is finding an in-line six. As far as the SE5A goes, I could only find one source of plans, and the V8 engine will be a problem, as well.
I'm leaning toward a Dr.1 because of the expected ease of finding parts and documentation, but it is said to be a bit of a handful to fly. The D.VII was thought by many to be the best plane in the war, but I'd have to relax the engine requirements for the D.VII and buy a newer style engine (Lycoming) to power it. Finally, the SE5A was said to be the fastest and best behaved flyer of the bunch, but I'd need to find a reliable converted automotive V8 or Lycoming for it. I suspect that far fewer of the SE5As have been built - and that makes it interesting to me (ask yourself how many red Dr.1s have you seen). Still, I have to say the Dr.1 is at the top of the list today - but that could change if someone in this forum has any ideas for the SE5A.
I would appreciate another source of plans for the SE5A, ideas on a suitable V8 for it, as well as input from someone who is, or has been involved in an SE5A build.
