Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.7
Royal Aircraft Factory · United Kingdom · first flew 1915 · bomber
The Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.7 was a British two-seat light bomber and reconnaissance biplane built for the Royal Flying Corps.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.72 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Unequal-span biplane with a fixed tailskid undercarriage
- Observer/gunner in the forward cockpit under the upper wing, pilot aft
- Nose-mounted engine driving a four-bladed propeller
It is an unequal-span biplane with two open cockpits, the observer in the front under the upper wing, a nose-mounted engine and a fixed tailskid undercarriage.
Specifications
- The Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.7 has a length of 9.72 m (32 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 17.37 m (57 ft).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was developed from the R.E.5 to carry heavier loads and to be suitable for escort and reconnaissance duties. It was built under contract by the Coventry Ordnance Works, Austin, Napier and Siddeley-Deasy.
Variants
Early aircraft had a nose-mounted 120 hp Beardmore engine, and later light bombers used a 150 hp RAF 4a or a 160 hp Beardmore. At least two were converted to three-seaters.
Where you'll see it
The first aircraft were operational with the Royal Flying Corps in France in early 1916. It was unsuitable as an escort, served as a light bomber, and was then withdrawn for training, engine testing and target-towing.
Related aircraft
- Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.9
- Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.8
- Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.4a
- Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2e
- AEG G.I
- AEG G.III
- Breguet Bre.5
- Caudron G.4
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 8,606 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.