Tom-M 1/72 Resin Royal Aircraft Factory BE2e
By Bob Pearson
Introduction
The aircraft that bests represents the Royal Flying Corps in the first half of the 'Great War' would have to be the much maligned BE series - particularly the BE2c and its successor the BE2e. Designed prior to WW1 by Geoffrey deHavilland as a two seater reconnaissance aircraft, the BE was intended to be a stable aircraft that would allow its crew to concentrate on the mission without worrying about flying the aircraft. However this very feature, which in peacetime seemed so desirable, in wartime was to have disastrous consequences for the young men who had to fly the BE in combat.
At first the opposing aircrew would just wave at one another, later they began to carry pistols and rifles and take potshots, finally the forward mounted machine gun became standard with the Fokker Eindecker. To avoid becoming 'Fokker Fodder' it was necessary to take evasive action, and here is where the BE series failed, their very stability being a hinderance to rapid changes of direction. One attempt to increase the maneuverabilty was to provide new wings to the BE2c .. up until the 2c, twin bay equal-span wings were standard, with the 2e single bay unequal span wings were adapted. The resulting improvement in speed caused all future BE aircraft to have this layout, and many earlier 2c/ds were refitted with these wings. Production of the BE2e continued into 1919 as the type was used as a trainer after its frontline role was over.
The Kit
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