R.A.F. R.E.8

From Wings of Linen
R.A.F. R.E.8
Role Reconnaissance
Manufacturer R.A.F.
First flight 17 Jun 1916[1][2]
Introduction 15 Nov 1916 [3][4][note 1]
Primary users U.K. (RFC/RAF)
Belgium
Number built UK: 4077 [3][5][1]; Belgium 22[1]
Wingspan 13.0 m (42 ft 7 in) [6][7][8][9]
Propeller Diam. 2.97 m (9 ft 9 in) [8]
Engine 150hp RAF 4a vee or
(Belgian)150-180hp Hispano-Suiza vee
Armament fixed, sync. Vickers and
1-2×rear flexible Lewis
120 kg (260 lb)[5][7] of bombs
Crew 2
Max Speed 164 km/h (102 mph)[8][9] to
166 km/h (103 mph)[3][10][7]
Climb 1,500 m (5,000 ft) in 11:25[8]
2,000 m (6,500 ft) in 15:00[9]-15:50[3][8]
3,000 m (10,000 ft) in 29:05[3][8]
Service Ceiling 4,000 m (13,000 ft)[9] to
4,100 m (13,500 ft) [3][10][7][8]
Endurance 4:15[3][10][7]-4:30[9]

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.

While a number of RE8s were built by the parent company, most were built by contractors like Austin, Daimler, Napier, Standard, and Coventry Ordnance Works. The first batches may have had no gun installed for the pilot, but later ones included a synchronized port-side Vickers with a Vickers-Challenger or (later) Constantinesco interrupter. It could easily enter a spin in the hands of rookie pilots. To correct this tendency, the fin was enlarged and other minor adjustments were made. There was a plan to replace all of the RE8s with Bristol Fighters in early to mid 1918, but shortages of Rolls-Royce engines meant there were never enough Bristols to go around and the RE8s had to soldier on.[11]

Belgian 6me Escadrille used R.E.8s modified to take a 180hp Hispano-Suiza engine, which must have improved performance somewhat, starting in July 1917. They were replaced by SPAD 11s starting in May 1918.[12]

The Harry Tate[note 2] 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. [3] The R.E.8 saw service on the Western Front, in Italy, Mesopotamia, Palestine, and in Home Defense.[1]

For more information, see Wikipedia:Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8.

Timeline [note 3]

Game Data

Wings of Glory

Official Stats
Version Availability Maneuver Damage Dmg Points Max Alt. Climb Points
Vickers+Lewis Nov16-end K B/B 13 10 6 81
Vickers+2×Lewis K B/A 13 10 6 101

Plane and Crew Cards

Blue Max/Canvas Eagles

Aircraft Chart

Miniatures and Models

1:144 Scale

1:285/6mm/1:288 Scale

1:300 Scale

1:350 Scale

1:600 Scale

Resources

Orthographic Drawings

References

Notes
  1. ↑ The prototype saw combat trials in June 1916.[5]
  2. ↑ The R.E.8's nickname comes from a famous music-hall comedian of the time.
  3. ↑ British usage numbers are approximate, derived from the squadron histories.[13]
Citations
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Angelucci, p.92.
  2. ↑ Bruce'66, p.3.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Bruce'69, p.426.
  4. ↑ Bruce'66, p.6.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Lamberton, p.56.
  6. ↑ Lamberton, pp.214-215.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Angelucci, p.82.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Bruce'66, p.12.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Argus Vol. 1, p.24.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Munson, p.56.
  11. ↑ Bruce'66, pp.5-9.
  12. ↑ Bruce'66, p.10.
  13. ↑ Philpott'13, pp.379-444.
Bibliography
  • Enzo Angelucci, ed. The Rand McNally Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft, 1914-1980. New York: The Military Press, 1983 edition. ISBN 0-517-41021-4.
  • Argus Books, Airplane Archive: Aircraft of World War One, Volume 1. Great Britain: Argus Books, 1989. ISBN 0-85242-983-5
  • J.M. Bruce. British Aeroplanes 1914-18. Great Britain: Funk & Wagnalls, 1957, 1969. ISBN 0370000382
  • J.M. Bruce, Profile Publications 85: The R.E.8. Great Britain: Profile Publications, Ltd., 1966.
  • W.M. Lamberton and E.F. Cheesman, Reconnaissance & Bomber Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Great Britain: Harleyford Publications Ltd., 1962. ISBN 9780900435027
  • Kenneth Munson, Bombers: Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft, 1914-1919. New York: The MacMillan Company, 1968, Blandford Press Ltd. ISBN 978-0753721711
  • Ian Philpott, The Birth of the Royal Air Force. Great Britain: Pen & Sword Books Limited, 2013. ISBN 978-1-78159-333-2
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