RAF RE.8

During the course of the latter half of World War I, 4,077 R.E.8 were built for the RFC/RAF and a few for Belgium. R.E.8s for British service standardised on the 112kW RAF 4a engine with a variable-pitch airscrew and were known as the 'Harry Tate'. During a brief spell on the Western Front in late 1916 several were lost through accidents, resulting in their temporary withdrawal. The tendency to spin was reduced by fitting a venrral fin at the base of the tail. This further reduced what little agility the RE.8 had.

From early 1917 the aircraft settled to a steady career as a reconnaissance aircraft and light bomber on the Western Front and in Palestine and Italy, remaining active until the Armistice.

RE.8
Engine: 1 x R.A.F.4a, 150 hp / 112kW
Span: 42ft 7in
Length: 8.5 m / 28 ft 11 in
Height: 3.47 m / 11 ft 5 in
Wing area: 35.07 sq.m / 377.49 sq ft
Max take off weight: 1300 kg / 2866 lb
Empty weight: 717 kg / 1581 lb
Speed: 98 mph
Ceiling: 4115 m / 13500 ft
Armament: 2 x 7.7mm machine-guns, 100kg of bombs
Seats: 2

RE.8a
Engine: 1 x 200-h.p. Hispano-Suiza
Span: 42ft 7in
Seats: 2

Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8