Time Period: Pre-WW1, World War I
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Type: Biplane, Reconnaissance and Surveillance (Scout)
Manufacturer: Royal Aircraft Factory
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E. 2 Aircraft Overview
The Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.2 was a British single-seat fighter biplane designed and built during World War I. It was intended to be a high-performance fighter aircraft, and it was one of the first British aircraft to be specifically designed for air-to-air combat.
The S.E.2 was a biplane design, with a wingspan of around 26 feet and a length of just over 19 feet. It was powered by an 80-horsepower engine, which gave it a top speed of around 95 miles per hour. It was armed with a single Vickers machine gun, which was synchronized with the propeller to allow for accurate firing.
The S.E.2 first flew in 1913, and it was used for experimental purposes for several years. However, it was eventually deemed unsuitable for front-line service, and it was never widely used by the Royal Flying Corps during World War I.
Despite its limited service life, the S.E.2 played an important role in the development of fighter aircraft during World War I. Its emphasis on speed and agility set the standard for later fighter designs, and its use of a synchronized machine gun for accurate firing helped to establish the importance of aerial combat in modern warfare.
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E. 2 Specifications
- Crew: 1
- Length: 20 ft 10 in (6.35 m)
- Wingspan: 27 ft 6+1⁄4 in (8.388 m)
- Height: 9+1⁄8 ft (2.8 m)
- Wing area: 188 sq ft (17.5 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 4.03
- Empty weight: 720 lb (327 kg)
- Gross weight: 1,132 lb (513 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Gnome rotary engine, 80 hp (60 kW).
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E. 2 Performance
- Maximum speed: 91 mph (146 km/h, 79 kn)
- Endurance: 3 hr
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E. 2 Armament
- Guns: 2× .303 in rifles.
