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| RAF
BE12 |
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Lt
R Watts
No.
19 Sqn RFC
Source: via LA Rogers
Image: © R. N. Pearson |
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| The BE12 was produced in response
to an urgent appeal for a single-seat
fighter to combat the growing menace
of the Fokker Eindecker. Based on the
BE2c initially, later on the 2e, and
sharing the same basic configuration
with the simple modification of having
the front cockpit faired over and a
more powerful engine fitted. Not surprisingly,
it shared the inherent stability of
the BE series and was a complete failure
as a fighter. The motor, while more
powerful, was heavier and its performance
deteriorated rapidly with increasing
altitude. The increased nose-weight
tended to make the aircraft 'hunt' while
the pilot tried to maneuver what was
a fairly large aircraft into position
for attack. After a few months at the
front it was relegated to bombing duties. |
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| SPECIFICATIONS |
| Country: |
Great Britain |
| Manufacturer: |
Royal Aircraft Factory |
| Type: |
Fighter |
| First
Service: |
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| Number
Built: |
5,205 (S.E.5 and S.E.5a) |
| Engine(s): |
150 h.p. RAF 4a motor |
| Wing Span: |
37 ft. 0 ins |
| Length: |
27 ft. 3 ins |
| Height: |
11 ft. 4 ins |
| Empty
Weight: |
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| Gross
Weight: |
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| Max Speed: |
75 mph @ 10,000 ft |
| Ceiling: |
12,500 ft |
| Endurance: |
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| Crew: |
1 |
| Armament: |
single synchronized Vickers
gun |
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