The Aerodrome Home Page
Aces of WWI
Aircraft of WWI
WWI Aviation Books
Chat Room
The Aerodrome Forum
Sign the Guestbook
WWI Web Sites
Medals & Decorations
The Aerodrome News
Search The Aerodrome
Opinion Poll
F.E.2 [Great Britain]
F.E.2

Initially used for reconnaissance, the Farman Experimental 2 two-seater biplane ended the "Fokker Scourge" over the Somme. Like the single-seat D.H.2, it was a "pusher" and items floating about in the nacelle inevitably ended up being swept back into the propeller, sometimes with disastrous results. Armed with two or three Lewis guns and a camera, the observer sat far forward in the nacelle, in front of the pilot. When attacked from the rear, it was frequently shot down. During the summer of 1916, the Germans captured one of the first F.E.2d's when a British pilot inadvertently landed his new aircraft at an enemy aerodrome. The introduction of more advanced aircraft made the F.E.2 an ineffective fighter and by 1917 it was primarily used for bombing missions.

Specifications
Country:Great Britain
Manufacturer:Royal Aircraft Factory
Type:Fighter/Bomber
First Introduced:1915
Number Built:About 1,000
Engine(s):Inline rotary, Beardmore 160 hp [120 kW]
Wing Span:47 ft 9 in [14.56 m]
Length:32 ft 3 in [9.83 m]
Height:12 ft 7½ in [3.84 m]
Empty Weight:[935 kg]
Gross Weight:3,037 lb [1,378 kg]
Max Speed:91½ mph [150 km/h]
Ceiling:11,000 ft [3,300 m]
Endurance:2 hr 30 min
Crew:2
Armament:2 or 3 .303 Lewis machine guns

Previous AircraftAces · Aircraft · Books · Chat · Forum · Guests · Links · Medals · News · Search · Vote

Copyright © 1997,1998 The Aerodrome
Page revised on 15 Nov 1997
Next Aircraft