Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2e
Royal Aircraft Factory · United Kingdom · first flew 1916 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 series was the RFC's principal reconnaissance aircraft of the early First World War, notorious for its inherent stability that made it easy to fly for observation purposes but nearly helpless against enemy fighters. The B.E.2e was a refined late-war variant.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.31 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Unstaggered equal-span biplane with prominent wire bracing
- Observer in front seat, pilot behind
- RAF 1a inline engine with plain cowling
The equal-span unstaggered biplane, the observer occupying the forward cockpit, and the upright inline engine with minimal cowling distinguish the B.E.2 family from the tractor scouts of the period.
Specifications
- The Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2e has a length of 8.31 m (27 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.42 m (41 ft).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The B.E.2 entered RFC service in 1912 and underwent continuous development; the 2c and 2d variants served in large numbers from 1915-17. The 2e introduced single-bay wings to reduce drag. The type's stability, a virtue for observation, made evasion almost impossible and losses during the Fokker Scourge of 1915-16 were severe.
Variants
The B.E.2 series ran from the A through E; the 2c was the most numerous; the 2e introduced single-bay wings and swept-back upper wing tips; home defence variants carried Lewis guns for anti-Zeppelin work.
Where you'll see it
B.E.2s flew on every RFC front from France to Mesopotamia and East Africa, and home defence examples were used against Zeppelin raids over Britain, with several airships destroyed by B.E.2c and 2e crews.
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