R.A.F. F.E.2b

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R.A.F. F.E.2b
Role Fighter/General Purpose
Manufacturer R.A.F.
Designer Geoffrey de Havilland
First flight March 1915 [1][2]
Introduction 20 May 1915 [1][2]
Primary user U.K. (RFC/RAF)
Number built 1,939 [1]
Developed from R.A.F. F.E.2a
Variants FE.2c, FE.2d
Wingspan 14.6 m (47 ft 9 in) [3][4][5][2]
Engine 120hp Beardmore inline or
(later)160hp Beardmore inline
Armament front flexible Lewis [note 1]
160 kg (350 lb) of bombs[note 2][3]
Crew 2
Max Speed see chart
Climb see chart
Service Ceiling see chart
Endurance see chart

The R.A.F. F.E.2b was one of the great aeroplanes of World War I, taking on a variety of roles from 1915 through the Armistice. While the R.A.F. F.E.2a had struggled due to the low power of its Green engine, a better match was found in the 120hp Beardmore, and the F.E. with that engine was designated the F.E.2b. The wings were also redesigned for this model rather than using the same wings as the R.A.F. B.E.2c. Though the first arrived in France in May 1915, by September No.6 Squadron still only had four on hand, and only thirty-two had been delivered by the end of 1915. Production increased in 1916.

On many planes a second Lewis gun was mounted on a telescoping pole between the cockpits to allow the observer to stand and shoot over the top wing, thereby covering a pusher's greatest blind spot.

In addition to reconnaissance and fighter roles, the F.E.2b was used as a night fighter, a light bomber, anti-submarine patrol, and a home-defense plane. It was the ultimate workhorse and proved useful long beyond its peak days in 1916. [1]


EngineSpeedClimbCeilingEndurance
120hp Beardmore inline 130 km/h (80 mph)[6][7][4][2] 910 m (3,000 ft) in 9:50[6][8][4]
1,800 m (6,000 ft) in 22:45[6][8][4]
2,000 m (6,500 ft) in 18:54[2]
3,000 m (10,000 ft) in 51:45[6][8]
2,700 m (9,000 ft)[6][7][4] to
3,400 m (11,000 ft)[2]
2:30[7] to 3:00[6] to 3:30[2]
160hp Beardmore inline 146 km/h (91 mph)[6][8][4][5] 910 m (3,000 ft) in 7:24[6][8][4]
1,800 m (6,000 ft) in 16:38[6][8][4]
3,000 m (10,000 ft) in 39:44 [6][8][4]
3,400 m (11,000 ft) [6][8][4][5] 2:30[7][5] to 3:00[6]

For more information, see Wikipedia:Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2.

Timeline [note 3]

Game Data

Wings of Glory

Unofficial Stats
Version Availability Maneuver Damage Dmg Points Max Alt. Climb
120hp [note 4] 16Q1-18Q4 XD B 14 7 7
160hp G B 14 8 6

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Orthographic Drawings

References

Notes
  1. Frequently supplemented by another Lewis firing backward over the top wing.
  2. 73 kg (160 lb) with 120hp engine
  3. British usage numbers are approximate, derived from the squadron histories.[9]
  4. 120hp stats are preliminary.
Citations
  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Bruce'69, p.390.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Argus Vol. 2, p.20.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Lamberton'62, pp.214-215.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 Lamberton'60, pp.214-215.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Angelucci, p.41.
  6. 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 Bruce'69, p.399.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Munson, p.20.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 Bruce'89, p.29.
  9. 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 2. Great Britain: Argus Books, 1989. ISBN 0-85242-984-3
  • J.M. Bruce. British Aeroplanes 1914-18. Great Britain: Funk & Wagnalls, 1957, 1969. ISBN 0370000382
  • J.M. Bruce, Windsock Datafile 18: RAF FE2b. Great Britain: Albatros Publications, Ltd., 1989. ISBN 0-948414-22-7
  • W.M. Lamberton and E.F. Cheesman, Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Great Britain: Harleyford Publications Limited, 1960.
  • 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