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100 years of the RAF
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100 years of the RAF
An FE.2b two-seat fighter pictured high above the trenches on the Western Front
When the RAF was formed on 1 April 1918, there were seven squadrons of F.E.2s serving as night bombers and a further four squadrons of the type used for night flying training. The last of the type in front-line service served with occupation forces in Germany until March 1919. The pilot occupied the rear cockpit and the gunner the front, giving his one or two Lewis machine guns an unobstructed field of fire of over 180 degrees. Used in offensive patrols over enemy lines to escort unarmed reconnaissance aircraft, with a 160hp Beardmore engine giving a maximum speed at sea level of 147km/h/91.5 mph the F.E.2s were generally outperformed by German fighter aircraft by late 1916 which led to their night-time rather than daytime use. The F.E.2b was specifically designed for large-scale wartime production by companies inexperienced in aircraft production.
*Some of these images have had some dodging and burning done and have been retouched to remove detritus and dust and scratch marks only*
The British Army protects the United Kingdom's interests at home and abroad, providing a safe and secure environment in which all British citizens can live and prosper
Credit: MoD/Crown copyright 1916
Media ID 15230328
© Crown copyright
Aircraft Army B And W Black And White Equipment Historic Historic Aircraft Occasion Raf 100 Royal Air Force World War One Historic Event Royal Flying Corps Somme
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