British Aviation 1916
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 The Bristol M1C was a well designed and effective aircraft that was not given a real chance to show it's true potential. That it was a momoplane was a factor for being overlooked by British High Command, which felt that a plane needed at least two wings for pilot safety. The bulk of them were used in the eastern front and the middle east, where they performed well. |
Bristol M1C Engine: 1 x Rhone 9J 110 hp. Wingspan: 9.38 m Length: 6.24 m Weight: 409 kg/609 kg Max. speed: 209 km/h Ceiling: 6400 m Crew: 1 Armament: 1 x machinegun |
 The Vickers F.B.19 was an aircraft with several design flaws that prevented it from becoming popular, or widely used aircraft. It was relatively slow, underpowered, and not at all capable of reaching higher altitudes. |
Vickers F.B.19 Engine: 1 x Rhone 9J 110 hp. Wingspan: 7.32 m Length: 5.53 m Weight: 404 kg/670 kg Max. speed: 175 km/h Ceiling: 4570 m Crew: 1 Armament: 1 x machinegun |
 The RAF F.E.8 was one of the final pusher type aircraft developed for the war. It was considered a slow and not a particularly nimble aircraft design. There were not many in active service, and was superceded by more modern fighter/scouts. |
RAF F.E.8 Engine: 1 x Rhone 9J 110 hp. Wingspan: 9.6 m Length: 7.22 m Weight: 440 kg/670 kg Max. speed: 154 km/h Ceiling: 4400 m Crew: 1 Armament: 1 x machinegun |
 The Sopwith Pup quickly became a favorite with pilots of the Royal Naval Air Service. It was superior to the Fokker D.III and more than a match for any of the new Halberstadt and Albatros scouts. Armed with a single synchronous machine gun, it was lighter and less dangerous than it's successor, the Sopwith Camel. Although underpowered, pilots liked the plane because it was maneuverable and fast. It could climb and hold its altitude better than any other fighter. In August 1917, the Sopwith Pup was the first aircraft to land aboard a moving ship, the Royal Navy's H.M.S. Furious. |
Sopwith Pup Engine: 1 x Rhone 9C 80 hp. Wingspan: 8.08 m Length: 5.89 m Weight: 358 kg/560 kg Max. speed: 178 km/h Ceiling: 5200 m Crew: 1 Armament: 1 x machinegun |
 The Sopwith Triplane was used in combat by the Royal Naval Air Service. The stack of three wings reduced wingspan and increased wing area making it handle and climb better than biplanes. Visibility from the cockpit was outstanding but it was slower and less heavily armed than it's German opponents. |
Sopwith Triplane Engine: 1 x Rhone 9B 130 hp. Wingspan: 8.08 m Length: 5.74 m Weight: 499 kg/700 kg Max. speed: 188 km/h Ceiling: 6200 m Crew: 1 Armament: 1 x machinegun |
 The slow, low flying and fragile Vickers F.B.12 marks the last gasp for British pusher-type fightercraft development.The introduction of the Sopwith Pup, and Triplane, which were both far superior aircraft in terms of handling characteristics, maximum speed, and operational celings killed chances for the F.B.12 before it could enter into production. |
Vickers F.B.12 Type: Fighter First Introduced: 1916 Number Built: Very few Engine: Gnome Monosoupape, 110 hp Wing Span: 9.02 m Length: 6.65 m Height: 2.62 m Empty Weight: 420 kg Gross Weight: 656 kg Max Speed: 140 km/h Ceiling: 4,420 m Endurance: 3.25 hours Crew: 1 Armament: 1 - 2 machine guns, 7.7 mm |
 The Beardmore W.B. III was nicknamed the folding Pup. This aircraft was built to be used on aircraft carriers as naval scouts. The wings and landing gear would fold up to be more easily stored on board. Later models had fixed landing gear that could be jettisoned off in case of an emergency landing at sea. A lewis machine gun was mounted on the upper wing that fired over the propeller. By the end of 1918, 55 of these aircraft had been built. |
Beardmore W.B.III Type: Naval Scout Number Built: 55 Engine: Le Rhone9C rotary 80 hp Wing Span: 25 feet - 7.63 m Length: 19' 3" - 5.89 m Empty Weight: 880 lbs - 399.17 kgs Speed: 88 mph/10,000' 141.62 kph/3048m Endurance: 2 hours and forty five minutes Crew: 1 Armament: 1 Lewis machine gun |
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Original material copyright © 7/8/99 W. Ira Boucher. All Rights Reserved. |
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