What gives, I was led to believe that these boys out of New Zeland had their act together as far as turning out replicas

http://thevintageaviator.co.nz/projects/se-5a-reproduction/vintage-aviator-se-5as

That otherwise original like SE5a has both the tube and Viper ring sight

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I'm on the road for the week Uncleal so I do not have access to my library, however I do know that the ring sight you are noting in the photo was not particular to the Viper. The ring-and-ball was fitted to the Vickers as the primary aiming device for that weapon while the Aldis was meant to be used with the Lewis on the top wing. The accepted practice by many SE5a pilots was to use their Lewis for the longer shots as it had less bullet spread, while the Vickers was used when they were close in and had a fatter target in front of them. IIRC, the SE5a in the Shuttleworth Collection has both sights, just like the Vintage Aviator replica.

There were of course many field modifications made to the sights based on an individual pilot's preference.

Cheers!

Lou

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I had a few minutes to put together this image from a well-known censor's photo of an SE5a of 32 Squadron. You can clearly see both sights in the photo and the sight lines I've added indicate the angles of the guns and Aldis sight.



Here is a link to the full-sized above image: SE5a showing sight lines

And here is the link to the original photo: SE5a 32 Squadron photo

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