Original Item. Only One Available. Skywriting was started by a Major Savage in England in 1922. Trailing smoke to better follow exhibition stunting had been introduced prior to 1914 and was also experimented with in WWI. Savage also introduced skywriting to the U.S.A. in 1924. But it took over 10 years for the U.S.A. to perfect their own formula, and from then on it was a popular ruse in advertising in the late 30’s and early 40’s, occasionally still used.

This is a great bit of aircraft fabric taken from a sky-writing S.E.5a. The Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 is a British biplane fighter aircraft of the First World War. It was developed at the Royal Aircraft Factory by a team consisting of Henry Folland, John Kenworthy and Major Frank Goodden. It was one of the fastest aircraft of the war, while being both stable and relatively manoeuvrable. According to aviation author Robert Jackson, the S.E.5 was: "the nimble fighter that has since been described as the 'Spitfire of World War One'".

Only 79 original S.E.5 aircraft had been completed prior to production settling upon an improved model, designated as the S.E.5a. The initial models of the S.E.5a differed from late production examples of the S.E.5 only in the type of engine installed – a geared 200 hp Hispano-Suiza 8b, often turning a large clockwise-rotation four-bladed propeller, replacing the 150 hp H.S. 8A model.

Shortly following the American entry into World War I, plans were mooted for several American aircraft manufacturers to commence mass production of aircraft already in service with the Allied powers, one such fighter being the S.E.5. In addition to an order of 38 Austin-built S.E.5a aircraft which were produced in Britain and assigned to the American Expeditionary Force to equip already-deployed US Army squadrons, the US Government issued multiple orders to the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company for the manufacture and delivery of around 1,000 S.E.5s to be produced in the United States. However, only one Curtiss-built aircraft would be completed prior to the end of the conflict, after which demand for the S.E.5 had effectively evaporated, production being quickly halted after a further 56 aircraft were assembled using already-delivered components.

The piece of fabric is roughly 6 x 17½” and is just white with two gray streaks down the middle. There are some accompanying photographs in the frame, with a small write up on the plane.

A really great piece, ready for further research and display.