Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 - Variants

Variants

• B.E.1: Prototype - important pioneer tractor biplane. The first B.E.2 was virtually identical, except for the engine originally installed.
  • B.E.5: Prototype, officially a rebuild of a Howard Wright biplane, powered by 60 hp (45 kW) ENV engine, otherwise similar to original B.E.2. First flight 27 June 1912. Rebuilt with Renault engine and effectively became a B.E.2.
  • B.E.6: Prototype, officially a rebuild of the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.1. First flown 5 September 1912, powered by a 60 hp (45 kW) ENV engine like the B.E.5, but refitted with Renault before delivery to RFC later that month, as a B.E.2.
• B.E.2a: Initial production version of B.E.2. Built in small numbers from late 1912 - still a standard type at the outbreak of war in late 1914
• B.E.2b: basically the same as the "a" with higher sides to the cockpits; late examples (perhaps those completed after the B.E.2c went into production) used ailerons instead of wing warping and featured other "c" characteristics such as "V" undercarriages and engine sump cowlings.
• B.E.2c: extensively redesigned - really a new aeroplane.
• B.E.2d: essentially a "c" variant with dual controls, and a larger gravity fuel tank

• B.E.2e: the final version, with new wings. Expected to be a great improvement on the "c", it was a major disappointment. Nicknamed the "Quirk".
• B.E.2f: B.E.2c with B.E.2e wings.
• B.E.2g: B.E.2d with B.E.2e wings.
• B.E.9: B.E.2c with a wooden box (called a "pulpit", somewhat like the French SPAD A.2) in front of the propeller for an observer/gunner's seat. It remained a prototype only.
• B.E.12: single-seat B.E.2c with a synchonised gun and more powerful engine. The B.E.12a had B.E.2e wings.