R.A.F. B.E.8

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R.A.F. B.E.8
Role Reconnaissance
Manufacturer R.A.F.
First flight 1912 [1]
Introduction 13 Aug 1914 [2]
Primary user U.K. (RFC/RAF)
Number built 22 [2][note 1]
Wingspan 12.0 m (39 ft 6 in) [3][4]
Engine 80hp Gnome rotary
Armament none or 45 kg (100 lb) of bombs[3][4]
Crew 1-2
Max Speed 110 km/h (70 mph) [5][6][3][4]
Climb 910 m (3,000 ft) in 10:30 [5][3]
Service Ceiling ~3,000 m (10,000 ft)[6]
Endurance ~2:30 [6]

The R.A.F. B.E.8 was one of the rare R.A.F. pre-war planes with a rotary tractor engine. It was nicknamed "The Bloater", perhaps due to its large cowling. Small-scale production was undertaken and only a handful were sent with units to France to fill out the rolls, where they survived only a short time before replacement. Most B.E.8s instead ended up as trainers in 1914-1915.

The B.E.8a was a trainer variant from early 1915 with wings similar to the R.A.F. B.E.2c. [1]

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

Timeline [note 2]

References

Notes
  1. ↑ Plus 38 BE8a trainers.[2]
  2. ↑ British usage numbers are approximate, derived from the squadron histories.[7]
Citations
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Bruce'69, p.373.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Lamberton, p.52.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Lamberton, pp.214-215.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Angelucci, p.22.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Bruce'69, p.376.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Munson, p.55.
  7. ↑ 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.
  • J.M. Bruce. British Aeroplanes 1914-18. Great Britain: Funk & Wagnalls, 1957, 1969. ISBN 0370000382
  • 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, Fighters 1914-19, Attack and Training Aircraft. New York: MacMillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1976. ISBN 0713707607
  • 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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