Context and the Need for a Fighter
The initial view that military aircraft should be no more than “eyes in the sky” inevitably led to the creation of good, sturdy, and stable observation planes. This proved to be the B.E.2’s drawback when confronting the more maneuverable Fokker monoplane, armed with a synchronized machine gun.
Design and Performance Challenges
The Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.12 represented an early and much-needed attempt to rectify the situation by using the B.E.2c variant’s airframe as the basis for a single-seat fighter. In fact, a slightly modified B.E.2c airframe became the prototype, fitted with a more powerful RAF 4a engine, which replaced the standard RAF 1a.
But while its top speed increased by more than 10 percent, it remained as unwieldy as its predecessor. Unsurprisingly, it proved virtually useless as a fighter.
Variants and Production
An improved B.E.12a aircraft, with modified wings and tail, was also produced, but none of these machines were sent to France. Total production of B.E.12/B.E.12a aircraft amounted to 468 units. For the defense of Great Britain, about 120 units of the B.E.12b variant were built, distinguished by a 200 hp Hispano-Suiza engine and more effective armament.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | В.Е.12а |
| Wingspan, m | 11.30 |
| Length, m | 8.31 |
| Height, m | 3.39 |
| Wing area, m2 | 34.47 |
| Empty weight | 742 |
| Normal takeoff weight | 1067 |
| Engine type | 1 Piston engine RAF 4a |
| Power, hp | 1 x 150 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 164 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 136 |
| Flight endurance, h.min | 3.0 |
| Service ceiling, m | 3800 |
| Crew, crew members | 1 |
| Armament: | 2 x 7.7-mm Lewis machine guns, mounted on each side of the fuselage to fire past the propeller disc, or 1 x synchronized 7.7-mm Vickers machine gun. 2 x 51-kg bombs or 16 x 7.3-kg bombs. |
Image and diagram gallery of the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.12
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