mpjbrennan Posted 25 February , 2005 Share Posted 25 February , 2005 The picture below is of my grandfather who was an observer in the RFC . His diaries describe going on sorties in an RE8, but this doesn't look like an RE8 to me. The rear-facing Lewis gun is missing, and it looks more like a single seater. Can anyone hazard a guess at the type? Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted 25 February , 2005 Share Posted 25 February , 2005 Se5a from the ' Glasshouse ' at a guess. Aye Malcolm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob H Posted 25 February , 2005 Share Posted 25 February , 2005 I think it's a Be2c or Be2e. http://www.wingstrut.com/be2e.htm regards Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolphin Posted 25 February , 2005 Share Posted 25 February , 2005 Patrick I think that the machine is a BE 2e, possibly in a Home Defence night-fighting role. The white triangle marking makes it look very much like the BE 2e from No 78 Sqn RFC, based at Sutton's Farm, in the photograph below. The opening in the fuselage for the observer's cockpit, which was forward of the pilot's position, can just be seen in your photo. I hope that this helps. Gareth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpjbrennan Posted 25 February , 2005 Author Share Posted 25 February , 2005 Thank you - I spoke to my father and he said my grandfather also served in BE2's - he wasn't sure which model. However, just to confuse the issue, here's a couple more pics with two different aircraft. The first is supposedly the mechanics of C flight No/ 4 squadron in front of what I think is an RE8. The second is my grandfather again - but this time the plane has a twin-bladed prop. The engine block of the latter has AW marked on it - Armstrong-Whitworth? patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolphin Posted 25 February , 2005 Share Posted 25 February , 2005 Patrick The aeroplane in the upper photograph is an RE 8, as flown by No 4 Sqn RFC/RAF. The lower photograph is of an Armstrong Whitworth FK 8 - as shown in the photo below of a No 8 Sqn machine, the radiator arrangement is quite distinctive. Regards Gareth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpjbrennan Posted 25 February , 2005 Author Share Posted 25 February , 2005 Thanks Gareth - that's a super pic of the FK8 patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Roberts Posted 26 February , 2005 Share Posted 26 February , 2005 Patrick Your original photo of what we conclude is a BE2e is full of rarely seen detail. I presume the v-shaped crutch in front of the windscreen is the mounting for the observer's Lewis, fired from the front seat. Anyone confirm this? If it is, it looks like you could give the pilot a centre parting with the Lewis! And in front of your grandfather's hand is the magneto (ignition) switch - on the outside so ground crew could switch it off in a crash or if the aeroplane ran away on starting. Was Henry Joseph Brennan his brother? Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpjbrennan Posted 27 February , 2005 Author Share Posted 27 February , 2005 Hi Adrian, Yes, Henry Joseph Brennan was the younger brother of my grandfather, Wilfred Brennan. Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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