Evening Flight is a piece of digital artwork by Pat Speirs which was uploaded on January 16th, 2012.
Title
Evening Flight
Artist
Pat Speirs
Medium
Digital Art - Digital Art Print
Description
SE5a - Evening Flight
The last of the daylight catches a section of SE5s heading for home - the flight commander (flying the pennants) providing top cover for his colleagues.
The silk scarf seen on the pilot is not an affectation but was to alleviate friction burns caused by the constant need to check behind for enemy aircraft - this solution carried on into WW2 where the fighter pilots �insignia� was the top tunic button undone with a silk scarf and no tie - seriously bad form, old boy.
The SE5 (SE stands for Scout Experimental) was the premiere fighter machine for the RAF sporting a top speed of 120mph and a service ceiling in excess of 20,000ft and that with no oxygen or special clothing!! Over 5,000 were built and considerable numbers supplied to the French and the American Expeditionary Force.
Uploaded
January 16th, 2012