SE 5a vs Albatros D V: Western Front 1917-18

Osprey Duel #20

by Jon Guttman, Harry Dempsey (Illustrator), Jim Laurier (Illustrator)

Amid the ongoing quest for aerial superiority during World War I, the late spring of 1917 saw two competing attempts to refine proven designs. The Royal Aircraft Factory SE 5a incorporated improvements to the original SE 5 airframe along with 50 more horsepower to produce a fast, reliable ace-maker. The Albatros D V, a sleeker development of the deadly D III of 'Bloody April' notoriety, proved to be more disappointing as it suffered a rash of lower wing failures. Nevertheless, Albatrosen remained the most numerically important fighters available when the Germans launched their final offensive on March 21 1918. Despite its shortcomings, German tactics and skill made the Albatros D V a dangerous foe that SE 5a pilots dismissed at their peril. This title tells the story of the design and development of these two fighters and concludes with their dramatic fights in the last year of World War I.

80 pages, Paperback

First published October 20, 2009

About the author

Jon Guttman, a military historian based in Leesburg, Virginia, is research director for Historynet.com. Specializing in World War I aviation, he has authored numerous Osprey titles and served as senior editor for Aviation History and World War II magazines.

Reviews

[Sean Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid summation of a rather uneven contest between two rather unremarkable workhorses. The SE5a got the better of the Albatros DV but fortunately its own weaknesses (poor gun layout, lack of maneuverability) gave the Albatros DV a fighting chance with a good pilot and/or the tactical advantage.