When the RAF was formed on 1 April 1918, there were seven squadrons of F.E.2s serving as night bombers and a further four squadrons of the type used for night flying training. The last of the type in front-line service served with occupation forces in Germany until March 1919. The pilot occupied the rear cockpit and the gunner the front, giving his one or two Lewis machine guns an unobstructed field of fire of over 180 degrees. Used in offensive patrols over enemy lines to escort unarmed reconnaissance aircraft, with a 160hp Beardmore engine giving a maximum speed at sea level of 147km/h/91.5 mph the F.E.2s were generally outperformed by German fighter aircraft by late 1916 which led to their night-time rather than daytime use. The F.E.2b was specifically designed for large-scale wartime production by companies inexperienced in aircraft production.

• Some of these images have had some dodging and burning done and have been retouched to remove detritus and dust and scratch marks only*
• Organization: RAF
• Object Name: H-424
• Category: MOD
• Supplemental Categories: Aircraft, Equipment, People, Historic
• Keywords: Somme, Battle, World War 1, Army, B&W, Black and White, Historic Event, Occasion, Aircraft, Equipment, Historic, Royal Air Force, RAF, Historic Aircraft, Royal Aircraft Factory FE2b, Royal Flying Corps, War, World War One, WWI, RAF 100
• Country: France