Royal Aircraft Factory BE2A – Photos & Video

Royal Aircraft Factory BE2A
Country	UK
Type	Biplane aircraft
Photograph	Vladimir Yakubov
Place	RAAF Museum, Point Cook, Australia
Topic	Album of 53 photos walk-around of a «Royal Aircraft Factory BE2A»

Photo gallery of a Royal Aircraft Factory BE2A, The Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 was a British single-engine tractor two-seat biplane which was in service with the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) from 1912 until the end of World War I. About 3,500 were built. Initially used as front-line reconnaissance aircraft and light bombers; variants of the type were also used as night fighters. Like many warplanes since, the B.E.2 was retained in front-line service long after it had become obsolete, for want of a suitable replacement. After its belated withdrawal it finally served as a trainer, communications aircraft and on anti-submarine coastal patrol duties.

Source: Royal Aircraft Factory BE2A on Wikipedia

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The Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2a was an early production variant of the B.E.2 reconnaissance and light bomber aircraft used by the Royal Flying Corps during World War I. It had the following key features:

• Biplane design with unequal span wings (upper wing longer than lower wing)
• Slight dihedral (upward angle) on the wings
• Tractor configuration with the engine mounted in front of the crew
• Two open cockpits in tandem, with the observer/gunner position in front
• Powered by a 70 hp Renault air-cooled V8 piston engine
• Wooden construction with fabric covering
• Wing warping for lateral control instead of ailerons
• Revised fuel system with gravity tank behind the engine

The B.E.2a was an early model that lacked some refinements introduced in later variants, such as:

• No decking between the pilot and observer positions initially (added later)
• Equal-span wings on some later production aircraft
• Deeper rear wing spar for increased strength

It was one of the first aircraft to enter service with the newly formed Royal Flying Corps in 1912 and saw extensive use in the early years of World War I for reconnaissance and light bombing roles before being superseded by newer types.