Canadian Warplanes 1: Royal Aircraft Factory (Reconnaissance Experimental) R.E.8

Royal Aircraft Factory (Reconnaissance Experimental) R.E.8

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3585193)

Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 two-seat biplane reconnaissance and bomber, (Serial No. E249).

The Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 was a British two-seat biplane reconnaissance and bomber aircraft of the First World War designed and produced at the Royal Aircraft Factory. It was also built under contract by Austin Motors, Daimler, Standard Motors, Siddeley-Deasy and the Coventry Ordnance Works.

Intended as a replacement for the vulnerable B.E.2, the R.E.8 was widely regarded as more difficult to fly and gained a reputation in the Royal Flying Corps for being "unsafe" that was never entirely dispelled. Although eventually it gave reasonably satisfactory service, it was never an outstanding combat aircraft. Nonetheless, it remained the standard British reconnaissance and artillery observation aircraft from mid-1917 to the end of the war, serving alongside the rather more popular Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8.

More than 4,000 R.E.8s were eventually produced; these aircraft saw service in a range of different theatres, including Italy, Russia, Palestine and Mesopotamia, as well as the Western Front. The R.E.8 was rapidly withdrawn from service after the end of the conflict, by which time it was regarded as totally obsolete. (Wikipedia)

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(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3390896)

Royal Aircraft Factory (Reconnaissance Experimental) R.E.8 (Serial No. C2281), "Punjab 22 Simla Hills", built by Daimler Company Ltd. Coventry, ca 1918.  

(IWM Photo, Q 67552)

Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 two-seat reconnaissance biplane.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3395961)

Capt William Barker, VC, with a Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8.

(Australian War Memorial Photo)

Royal Aircraft Factory (Reconnaissance Experimental) R.E.8 with Incendiary Bombs.

(RAF Photo)

Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 (Reconnaissance Experimental 8) pilot with the RFC, being briefed by an Intelligence Officer.

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