Aircraft of the WW I Stories

Royal Aircraft Factory F.E. 2b

The F.E.2a appeared in 1915 as an armed reconnaissance aircraft. A short nacelle carried the observer ahead of the pilot, who in turn sat ahead of the pusher engine.The tail unit was carried by four booms extending from the wings. A Lewis machine gun for the observer was the only defensive armament. The modified and re-engined F.E.2b, with a more powerful engine, was the production version. Over 1500 were built, and service use continued until the end of the war in November 1918.

Engine - 160 hp Beardmore. Max. Speed - 91.5 mph at sea level. Service Ceiling - 11000 feet. Empty Weight - 2061 lb. Loaded Weight - 3037 lb. Wing Span - 47 ft 9 in. Length - 32 ft 3 in. Height - 12 ft 7.5 in.

Sopwith Pup

The Sopwith Pup flew in the early spring of 1916. A conventional wooden biplane, it had a single .303 in. machine gun as armament. The Pup was ordered by both the Admiralty and the War Office, and first production units appeared in September 1916, serving with the RNAS as well as the RAF. Obsolete by late summer 1917, the Pup was assigned to Home Defence units and used against German bombers raiding Britain.In early 1917, the Pup was used as a shipboard fighter as well, serving aboard several carriers. Earlier, a Pup had become the first aircraft to ever land on a carrier deck. The Pup was very easy to fly, and many pilots considered it the best-handling aircraft ever built. 1770 Pups were built through 1918.

Engine - 80 hp Le Rhone. Max. Speed - 111 mph at sea level. Empty Weight - 787 lb. Loaded Weight - 1225 lb. Wing Span - 26 ft 6 in. Length - 19 ft 3.75 in. Height - 9 ft 5 in.

Sopwith F.1 Camel

Evolved from the Pup and nicknamed the Camel because of its "hump", the F.1 was the most successful fighter of the War. Of conventional structure, the Camel carried two .303 in. machine guns firing through the propeller. Difficult to fly, the Camel was nevertheless a formidable weapon in the hands of an expert. Not very fast, it was extremely agile and climbed fast. Production aircraft appeared in May 1917, and 5490 were delivered till the end of the war (including the shipboard 2F.1 version). The Camel was built by many different contractors for both the RAF and the RNAS.

Engine - 130 hp Clerget (or 110 hp Le Rhone or 150 hp Bentley). Max. Speed - 115 mph at 6500 ft. Empty Weight - 929 lb. Loaded Weight - 1453 lb. Wing Span - 28 ft. Length - 18 ft 9 in. Height - 8 ft 6 in.

Bristol F.2 Fighter

The F.2 series of fighter-recce aircraft was one of the most successful combat aircraft designs ever. The F.2A first flew on 9 Sept 1916, and deliveries began in early 1917. Initial experience was disappointing, but new tactics, along with the improved F.2B, proved extremely successful. The heavy two-seat aircraft could hold its own against all opponents, and was used in a wide variety of roles. Production continued until September 1919, by which time 4747 had been built. The RAF continued to use the Bristol Fighter as late as 1928. Fast and robust, the fighter carried two crew and had machine guns for both. Bombs were also often carried.

Engine - 275 hp Rolls Royce Falcon III. Max. Speed - 123 mph at 5000 ft. Empty Weight - 1930 lb. Loaded Weight - 2848 lb. Wing Span - 39 ft 3 in. Length - 25 ft 10 in. Height - 9 ft 9 in.

Halberstadt CL II

The CL II was conceived as a two-seat defensive patrol and pursuit aircraft, amalgamating the features of the two-seat C-type and the single-seat D-type. It carried one fixed and one flexible machine gun. The first production order was placed in May 1917, and deliveries reached the front in August of that year. It was immediately liked by its pilots, and was able to successfully engage with enemy single-seat fighters, due to its outstanding climb and manoeuvrability. The CL II enjoyed great success in the close air support role as well. 700 CL IIs were built through mid-1918 by Halberstadt, and 200 more by BFW.

Engine - 160 hp Mercedes D III. Max. Speed - 102 mph at 16400 ft. Empty Weight - 1701 lb. Loaded Weight - 2498 lb. Wing Span - 35 ft 4 in. Length - 23 ft 11.5 in. Height - 9 ft 0.5 in.

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