Time Period: World War I
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Type: Biplane, Reconnaissance and Surveillance, Bomber Aircraft
Manufacturer: Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft
Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8 Aircraft Overview
The Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8 was a British two-seat biplane aircraft that was primarily used for reconnaissance and artillery spotting during World War I. It was designed by Frederick Koolhoven and manufactured by Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft.
The F.K.8 first entered service in 1917 and was widely used by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and its successor, the Royal Air Force (RAF). The aircraft featured a wooden frame and was powered by a 150-horsepower RAF 4a water-cooled inline engine, which gave it a top speed of around 97 mph (156 km/h).
The F.K.8 was armed with a single .303 inch (7.7 mm) Lewis machine gun mounted on the rear cockpit, and was also capable of carrying up to 160 lb (73 kg) of bombs or other equipment. Its primary role was as a reconnaissance and observation aircraft, and it was well-suited for this task due to its stability, endurance, and the excellent visibility afforded by its open cockpit design.
A total of around 1,650 F.K.8 aircraft were built, with production continuing until 1919. While the F.K.8 was not a particularly fast or maneuverable aircraft, it was a reliable and effective platform for reconnaissance and observation missions, and played an important role in the final years of World War I.
Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8 Specifications
- Crew: 2
- Length: 31 ft 5 in (9.58 m)
- Wingspan: 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m)
- Height: 10 ft 11 in (3.33 m)
- Wing area: 540 sq ft (50 m2)
- Empty weight: 1,916 lb (869 kg)
- Gross weight: 2,811 lb (1,275 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 50 imp gal (60 US gal; 230 L)
- Powerplant: 1 × Beardmore 160 hp water-cooled six-cylinder inline engine.
Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8 Performance
- Maximum speed: 95 mph (153 km/h, 83 kn) at sea level
- Endurance: 3 hr
- Service ceiling: 13,000 ft (4,000 m)
- Time to altitude: 15.4 min to 6,500 ft (2,000 m).
Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8 Armament
- Guns: 1 × fixed, forward-firing .303 in Vickers machine gun and 1 × flexibly mounted .303 in Lewis gun.
- Bombs: up to 260 lb (118 kg) bombs.
