In April 1911, a team of enthusiasts led by Mervyn O’Gorman, Geoffrey de Havilland, and F. M. Green purchased a Voisin biplane with a pusher propeller for repair. The aircraft was converted into the B.E.1 biplane with a tractor propeller. (Subsequently, aircraft with tractor propellers were designated Bleriot Experimental (B.E.), while other aircraft were called Fighting Experimental (F.E.) and Reconnaissance Experimental (R.E.))
Pioneering Transformation
Initially, the B.E.1 retained its former Wolseley engine, but this was quickly replaced with a 60 hp Renault. The aircraft was written off after an accident in January 1915. By this time, the “Balloon Factory” had changed its name to the “Royal Aircraft Factory”.
Legacy and Experimental Platform
The B.E.1 fulfilled the hopes placed upon it, helping designers formulate new ideas and serving as an experimental platform for three years.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | BE.1 |
| Wingspan, m | 11.77 |
| Aircraft length, m | 9.00 |
| Aircraft height, m | 3.10 |
| Wing area, m2 | 34.75 |
| Engine type | 1 Wolseley Piston engine |
| Power, hp | 1 x 80 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 95 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 75 |
| Rate of climb, m/min | 47 |
| Crew | 2 |
Image and diagram gallery of the B.E.1
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