The Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 was a British two-seat biplane reconnaissance and bomber aircraft of the First World War. Intended as a replacement for the vulnerable B.E.2, the R.E.8 was little improvement and is regarded as one of the worst aircraft designs of the war. Popularly known in rhyming slang as the "Harry Tate " after a musical-hall comedian, over 4,000 R.E.8s were produced and they served in most theatres including Italy, Russia, Palestine and Mesopotamia.

The first of two prototype R.E.8s (Reconnaissance Experimental 8) flew on 17 June, 1916 and the first production aircraft reached France in November of that year. However, early aircraft were prone to spinning, resulting in a number of accidents and the R.E.8 was grounded while a larger tailfin was designed. Eventually 4,077 R.E.8s were produced with a further 353 on order cancelled at the end of the war. In addition to the Royal Aircraft Factory, the R.E.8 was produced by six other companies including Austin Motors, Standard Motors, Siddeley-Deasy and Conventry Ordnance Works.

The R.E.8 was larger and sturdier than the B.E.2 and was better armed with a synchronised forward-firing .303-in Lewis gun and one or two Lewis guns on a Scarff ring in the observers cockpit. Like the B.E.2, it was also inherently stable, making it a good platform for artillery spotting but gave it little chance at out-manoeuvring enemy fighters. The fuel tank was made from gutta percha and the R.E.8 had a tendency to burn when damaged. Overall, the R.E.8 was not a popular aircraft with aircrews. On 13 April 1917, a patrol of six R.E.8s from No. 59 Squadron RFC was met by aircraft from Jasta 11 and all the R.E.8s were shot down within five minutes.

Most R.E.8s were powered by the 150-hp (112 kW) Royal Aircraft Factory 4a air-cooled 12-cylinder inline engine though some received the 200-hp (149 kW) RAF 4d engine and others had a Hispano-Suiza engine. A supply shortage of the Rolls-Royce Eagle halted plans to use it as the R.E.8s powerplant. The engine's exhaust protruded over the upper wing so that the crew were not exposed to the fumes.

The R.E.8 equipped 18 Royal Flying Corps squadrons in 1917 and 19 squadrons in 1918. Belgium was the only country other than Britain (and her Dominions) to operate the R.E.8, receiving 22 in July 1917.

All R.E.8s were quickly retired after the war and only two survive today. The restoration of R.E.8 F3556 at the Imperial War Museum Duxford was completed in 2004. This aircraft, built by Daimler, had arrived in France on Armistice Day. The other surviving R.E.8 is in Brussels, Belgium.

Specifications

General Characteristics

• Crew: two, pilot & observer
• Length: 27 ft 10 in (8.5 m)
• Wingspan: 42 ft 7 in (12.98 m)
• Height: 11 ft 4 in (3.47 m)
• Wing area: 389 ft² (35.07 m²)
• Empty: 1,577 lb (717 kg)
• Loaded: lb ( kg)
• Maximum takeoff: 2,862 lb (1,301 kg)
• Powerplant: 1x Royal Aircraft Factory 4a air-cooled 12-cylinder inline engine, 150 hp (112 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 102 mph (164 km/h)
• Range: miles ( km)
• Service ceiling: 13,500 ft (4,115 m)
• Rate of climb: 22 minutes to 10,000 ft (3,045 m)
• Wing loading: lb/ft² ( kg/m²)

Armament

• 1x .303 in (7.7 mm) forward-firing Lewis gun
• 1 or 2x .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis guns in rear cockpit
• up to 224 lb (102 kg) bombs

Related content

Related development: none

Comparable aircraft: Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 - Rumpler C.I - Breguet 14

Designation sequence: R.E.5 - R.E.7 - R.E.8