Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.3

When Frederick Koolhoven offered to reduce the complexity of the R.A.F. B.E.2c for easier production, the result was the Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.3. With the prototype, as with the BE.2, the pilot sat in the rear, leaving the observer with less-than-perfect sight lines, but production aircraft fortunately reversed this and moved the pilot to the front seat of the communal cockpit. Dual controls were provided, which made the FK.3 a natural fit as a trainer later in its career, where it served in large numbers until the adoption of the Avro 504 as a standard trainer. Operationally it was only used in the Middle East, where 47th Squadron used the FK.3 from September 1916 until 1918. Its RFC nickname was Little Ack.