Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8

(The video includes three RAF aircraft, an R.E.8 ("Harry Tate"), B.E.2f and a
B.E.2c take to the gloomy skies for a patrol over the front lines)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_..._Factory_R.E.8

The Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 was a British two-seat biplane reconnaissance
and bomber aircraft of the First World War designed at the Royal Aircraft
Factory. 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. In spite of this, the R.E.8 served as 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.

Over 4,000 R.E.8s were eventually produced and they served in most theatres
including Italy, Russia, Palestine and Mesopotamia, as well as the Western
Front.

The first of two prototype R.E.8s (Reconnaissance Experimental 8) flew on 17
June 1916. Design of the new type had begun in late 1915, so that it was
conceptually at least almost contemporary with the B.E.12 and the B.E.2e.

The installation of the 150 hp (112 kW) Royal Aircraft Factory 4a air-cooled V12
engine closely resembled that of the B.E.12, with the same large air scoop and
similar vertically mounted exhausts protruding over the upper wing to carry the
fumes clear of the crew. The only real difference was that the engine was
slightly raked back, to improve take off and landing characteristics.

The single bay, unequal span wings were identical to those of the B.E.2e,
although the span (and thus the wing area) was increased slightly by the use of
a wider upper centre section, and lower stub wings to match. The tailplane was
also the same as the B.E.2e. The entirely new parts of the design were confined
to the fuselage aft of the engine firewall, and the vertical fin and rudder.


Role
Reconnaissance, Bomber

Manufacturer
Royal Aircraft Factory

First flight
17 June 1916

Introduction
1916

Retired
1918

Status
Retired

Primary user
Royal Flying Corps

Produced
1916–1918

Number built
4,077

Unit cost

£2068 (RAF 4a engine)

R.E.8s began to arrive at the front in numbers just as the period of German air
superiority known as "Bloody April" was taking a heavy toll of all types in the
RFC; and early service was not auspicious. On 13 April 1917, six R.E.8s from 59
Squadron were sent on a long range photo reconnaissance mission, missed their
intended escorts, and were met by the picked fighter pilots of Jasta 11, who
shot them all down within five minutes.

The casualty rate in R.E.8 squadrons became more sustainable as new Allied
fighter types regained air superiority and pilot training and tactics improved.
Although never a popular aeroplane, it was reasonably satisfactory for the tasks
demanded of it and was even regarded with some affection, gaining the rhyming
slang nickname "Harry Tate" (after a popular music hall artist of the time).
Some crews flew their slow, cumbersome mounts quite aggressively; the German
fighter ace Eduard Ritter von Dostler was shot down by an R.E.8 of 7 Squadron,
while 3 Squadron Australian Flying Corps (AFC) was credited with 50 air
victories in 12 months of operations. Lts Pithey and Rhodes of 12 Squadron were
the most successful R.E.8 crew in air-to-air combat, being credited with twelve
victories.

Although supplemented by other types, the R.E.8 remained the standard RFC
artillery observation, air photography and general short range reconnaissance
aircraft for the remainder of the war, equipping 18 RFC squadrons in 1917 and 19
squadrons in 1918. Belgium was the only country other than Britain and the
Dominions to operate the R.E.8 during the First World War, receiving 22 in July
1917. At least some of the Belgian examples were fitted with Hispano-Suiza
engines, in a SPAD type cowling, rather than the S.E.5a type cowling of the
R.E.8a.

Specifications

General characteristics
Crew: 2 (pilot & observer/gunner)
Length: 27 ft 10½ in (8.50 m)
Wingspan: 42 ft 7 in (12.98 m)
Height: 11 ft 4½ in (3.47 m)
Wing area: 377.5 sq ft (35.1 m²)
Empty weight: 1,803 lb (820 kg)
Loaded weight: 2,678 lb
(1,217 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 2,869 lb (1,304 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Royal Aircraft Factory 4a air-cooled V12 engine, 140 hp (104 kW)

Performance
Maximum speed: 103 mph (90 knots, 166 km/h) at sea level
Stall speed: 47 mph (41 knots, 76 km/h)
Endurance: 4 hours 15 min
Service ceiling: 13,500 ft (4,115 m)

Climb to 6,500 ft (1,980 m): 21 min

Armament

Guns: 1 x .303 in (7.7 mm) forward-firing Vickers gun and 1 or 2 x .303 in (7.7
mm) Lewis guns in rear cockpit
Bombs: up to 224 lb (102 kg) bombs





*