The Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.8 was a British single-engine biplane aircraft produced during World War I. It was designed as a fighter aircraft, intended to provide a more nimble and maneuverable alternative to the larger and heavier bombers and reconnaissance aircraft of the time.

The F.E.8 entered service with the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) in 1916, and it was used primarily for air-to-air combat missions. It was armed with a single .303 Vickers machine gun, which was mounted on the upper wing and fired over the propeller arc through a synchronization mechanism.

The F.E.8 was a small and agile aircraft, with a wingspan of just over 20 feet and a maximum speed of around 100 miles per hour. It was designed to be highly maneuverable in flight, with a tight turning radius and quick response to control inputs.

Despite its nimble performance, however, the F.E.8 was not particularly successful as a fighter aircraft. Its relatively weak armament and limited speed and range made it vulnerable to attack by German fighters, and it was eventually replaced by newer and more advanced aircraft, such as the S.E.5 and the Sopwith Camel.

Overall, the F.E.8 was an important aircraft in the early years of World War I, and it played a key role in the development of fighter aviation and aerial combat tactics. However, its limitations and relatively short service life meant that it did not have a significant impact on the course of the war.