Sonny
Member
Greetings: Currently completed approx. 40% of my latest (3rd) and last build at age 76. This is a full scale British SE5a powered by a highly modified GM 4.3 v6 with gear reduction of my own design in order to swing a 96" prop. While all exterior dimensions and visible details are as per original, many upgrade features have been incorporated, such as disk brakes, better spars, airfoil (US #6) and semi cantilever wings, modern analog instruments, and a second front seat as per the original "combat trainer" models of which a few were built of the 5,200 completed before the war ended.
In 2001 while serving as President of Vietnam Veterans of America in Annapolis, I was privileged to interview and later write an article about Martin Rice a WWl veteran then at age 97. He had enlisted at age 15. This plane is a tribute to him. Now to simply complete my bucket list.
Irv "Sonny" Furman, Lt. Colonel, USAF ret.
In 2001 while serving as President of Vietnam Veterans of America in Annapolis, I was privileged to interview and later write an article about Martin Rice a WWl veteran then at age 97. He had enlisted at age 15. This plane is a tribute to him. Now to simply complete my bucket list.
Irv "Sonny" Furman, Lt. Colonel, USAF ret.
