Following the B.E.3, the Royal Aircraft Factory built the fourth aircraft in the Bleriot Experimental (B.E.) family. The B.E.4 was similar to its predecessor, a two-seat, two-bay wooden biplane, equipped with a 50 hp Gnome engine.
First Flight and Initial Service
Test pilot Geoffrey de Havilland performed its first flight on June 24, 1912. The aircraft was almost immediately transferred to the RFC, where it received the serial number “204”.
After an accident in September, the B.E.4 was returned to the company’s factory, where a more powerful 70 hp Gnome engine was installed.
Additional Production and Redesign
Three more aircraft were manufactured for the RFC (with serial numbers 303, 416, and 417), with the last two being produced by third-party manufacturers.
Several minor aircraft accidents led to a serious redesign of the B.E.4’s structure. Two of the reconfigured aircraft were used by the RFC until the end of 1914.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | BE.4 |
| Wingspan, m | 12.04 |
| Length, m | 8.31 |
| Engine type | 1 Piston engine Gnome |
| Power, hp | 1 x 70 |
| Crew, crew members | 2 |
Image and diagram gallery of the B.E.4
 B.E.4 |
 B.E.4 |
 B.E.4 |