Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.1 - British Pre-WW1 Aircraft and Warplanes

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Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.1

The Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.1 was a British experimental two-seat single-engine biplane developed by the British Royal Aircraft Factory.

Time Period: Pre-WW1, World War I
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Type: Biplane, Reconnaissance and Surveillance
Manufacturer: Royal Aircraft Factory

Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.1 Aircraft Overview

The Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.1 was a British experimental biplane aircraft developed during World War I. It was designed as a reconnaissance aircraft and was intended to provide better performance and protection for the pilot than earlier designs.

The R.E.1 featured a number of advanced design features for its time, including a fully-enclosed cockpit and a retractable undercarriage. It was powered by a single engine mounted in the nose of the aircraft, and it was armed with a single machine gun for defensive purposes.

The R.E.1 was flown for the first time in 1915, and it demonstrated good performance and stability in flight. However, it was not put into production, as the Royal Aircraft Factory instead focused on the development of other designs such as the R.E.8 and the F.E.2.

Despite its short service life, the R.E.1 was an important aircraft in the development of military aviation. Its advanced design features and improved performance helped to set the stage for the development of later aircraft, and it demonstrated the potential for more advanced and capable reconnaissance aircraft.

Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.1 Specifications

Crew: 2
Wingspan: 34 ft 0 in (10.4 m)
Wing area: 316 sq ft (29.3 m²)
Empty weight: 1,000 lb (454 kg)
Gross weight: 1,580 lb (717 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Renault air–cooled upright 90° V-8 , 70 hp (52 kW).

Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.1 Performance

Maximum speed: 83 mph (134 km/h, 72 kn)
Rate of climb: 600 ft/min (3.0 m/s)

Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.1 Image Gallery

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