R.A.F. R.E.8

The R.A.F. R.E.8 was designed to replace the B.E.2c, which by autumn 1915 was obviously unsuited to the realities of fighter combat. It borrowed the heavily staggered and unequal span wings of the R.A.F. B.E.2e but the R.E.8 moved the observer to the more workable rear seat where a defensive machine gun would have a wide angle of fire. Unfortunately it also retained the B.E.'s inherent stability, an asset in a friendly sky but a detriment in when trying to evade enemy fire. In a common theme, the Air Board had committed to large-scale production before the type had actually shown its merits and shortcomings in service, so over four thousand were built despite the plane's lackluster performance. It was still in use by fifteen squadrons at the Armistice.

Belgium used R.E.8s modified to take a 180hpo Hispano-Suiza engine, which must have improved performance somewhat.

The Harry Tate was undistinguished -- a plane no one would call their favorite -- yet it and its crews flew countless successful missions in the last two years of the war.

The R.E.8 saw service on the Western Front, in Italy, Mesopotamia, Palestine, and in Home Defense.

Aircraft Chart

1:144 Scale

 * Ares: WGF206A 30 Sqn.; WGF206B Mark/MacKay-Dempster; WGF206C 59 Sqn.
 * Shapeways: Decapod
 * Metal kit:
 * Wings of War: WW13J Longton/Carson; WW13K Ferguson/Fry; WW13L Belgium

1:285/6mm/1:288 Scale

 * Shapeways: Decapod

1:300 Scale

 * Metal kit: Heroics & Ros GWA122

1:350 Scale

 * Shapeways: Decapod

1:600 Scale

 * Metal kit: Tumbling Dice