Royal Aircraft Factory RE8 Reconnaissance/Bomber

The R.E. 8 was an upgraded R.E. 7. Although it was only an incremental improvement over it's predecessor it was used in large numbers by the RFC for reconnaissance, artillery spotting and bombing. It was a tractor biplane with two cockpits, the front being for the pilot and the rear for the observer/gunner. The R.E.8 had a lot of bad characteristics (similar to the R.E. 7) and few good ones, sturdiness being one of the latter. An esimated 4077 were built. It first flew in 1916 and was used throughout most of the war, being relegated to the Italian and Middle Eastern Fronts by 1918.

Technical Details
The twin seat R.E. 8 was powered by the 120 hp (110kW) Royal Aircraft Factory in-line engine. The lack of an in-line engine over a rotary engine and a large wing area provided a considerable amount of stability to the aircraft. It had a maximum speed of 102 mph (165 km/h), with a ceiling of 13450 ft (4100m). It was armed with two or three machine guns and could carry 120 kg of bombs. However, not all at the same time. Typically it had a forward firing Vickers mounted on the side of the cowling and a rear Lewis gun. Armed with bombs, two machine guns, pilot and gunner it could barely get off the ground. It photographic reconnaissance was required then they carried a wireless transmitter, and the bombs and possibly a machine gun had to be left behind.

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Image From: Lt.Col. Drew, Canada's Fighting Airmen.