The F.E.2c was an experimental night fighter and bomber variant of the F.E.2b, the main change being the switching of the pilot's and observer's positions so that the pilot had the best view for night landings.

First introduced as a two-seat fighter on the Western Front in late 1915 the Beardmore-engined Royal Aircraft Factory F.E. 2b and its successor the similar Rolls-Royce engined F.E. 2d were later used extensively in the night bomber role in Europe which is the variant represented by the RAF Museum’s aircraft at Hendon.

The F.E.2b was mainly used for the needs of the army: for reconnaissance and for the escort of other aircraft, and it proved to be very worthy in the battles against enemy aircraft. Often grouped with D.H.2 fighters, the F.E.2b fought back against the Fokker monoplanes that dominated the skies at the time.

2024年9月17日 · The F.E. 2B was a two-place, single-engine, pusher biplane used as a scout bomber. It was 32 feet, 3 inches (9.830 meters) long with a wingspan of 47 feet, 9 inches (14.554 meters) and height of 12 feet, 7½ inches (3.848 meters). It had an empty weight of 2,105 pounds (955 kilograms) and gross weight of 2,827 pounds (1,282 kilograms).

Here is a full pilots report describing the experience of taking the new FE.2b into the air! Enjoy the smell of burnt castor oil and another piece of history brought to life by The Vintage Aviator Ltd.

This was quickly replaced by the main production model, the F.E.2b which was powered by a Beardmore liquid-cooled inline engine, initially the 120 hp (89 kW) version while later F.E.2bs received the 160 hp (119 kW) Beardmore.

2025年1月1日 · But often glossed over is the contribution of the F.E.2b, which was also beginning to get into significant frontline service at the same time. Admittedly, as a two-seater the F.E.2, affectionately nicknamed as “Fi” by its crews, was not as nimble as the newer fighters or the Eindecker, nor quite as quick with a top speed of just over 90mph ...

Sharing little more than its configuration with the F.E.2 flown at Farnborough in 1913, the F.E.2a appeared early in 1915 and was designed to provide the RFC with an armed reconnaissance aircraft. It was a large three-bay biplane, using a flat centre section and outer panels that were identical with those of the B.E.2c, and incorporating dihedral.

SECTION 2B INDIVIDUAL HISTORY ROYAL AIRCRAFT FACTORY F.E.2b ‘A6526’ (Incorporating nacelle frame 84/A/450) c.1917-18 Nacelle built by Richard Garrett & Sons Ltd of Leiston, near Lowestoft, Suffolk. This long established engineering firm received a contract - No. A.S. 34281 dated 14 Nov 1917- to supply 60 complete 160hp Beardmore

2016年7月17日 · F.E.2b - Definitive Production Model; powered by Beardmore liquid-cooled in-line piston engine of 120 horsepower (later increased to 160 horsepower); sans airbrake; 1,939 produced; relegated to nightbombing in later years.