R.A.F. B.E.2a

The R.A.F. B.E.2a was an improved B.E.2 with decking to protect the observer and cover the fuel tank and stronger struts. Both planes were good experimental vehicles for their time but unsuited realities of combat three years later in 1915. B.E.2a's served in France but also in the Dardanelles and Egypt. They performed both reconnaissance and light bombing.

The earliest B.E.2a's had unequal-span wings, but later models had equal-span wings, and some of the earlier models were refitted. The Royal Aircraft Factory built only five; the rest were subcontracted to a variety of builders. Before the war they were extensively used by Squadrons 2, 4, and 6, and some had their skid undercarriage replaced by a three-wheel oleo version.

B.E.2a &#8470; 347 was the first R.F.C plane to land on French soil after the outbreak of the war on 13 Aug 1914. It remained in service until late summer of 1915, when it started moving only to training and to quieter fronts.