Roy Cross Aviation Art - Major James Byford McCudden's SE5A

Original painting in acrylic on board, framed

Image Size: 23 x 19 inches, signed lower right.

James Thomas Byford McCudden, VC, DSO & Bar, MC & Bar, MM (28 March 1895 – 9 July 1918) was a British flying ace of the First World War and among the most highly decorated airmen in British military history. 

At the time of his death, he had achieved 57 aerial victories, placing him seventh on the list of the war's most successful aces. The majority of his successes were achieved with 56 Squadron RFC and all but five were shot down while McCudden was flying the S.E.5a. 

The Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a 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'".