The Royal Aircraft Factory

The story of the Royal Aircraft Factory at Farnborough, forerunner of the World’s premier aeronautical research establishment wherein were designed a diversity of aircraft including many of those that equipped the RFC, RNAS and RAF during the First World War.

Originally established to build observation balloons for the Victorian British Army, the Factory later expanded to employ over 3500 people by mid-1916, at which time it became the subject of a political controversy that ended in a judicial inquiry. In 1918 its title was changed to the Royal Aircraft Establishment, not only to avoid a clash of initials with the newly formed Royal Air Force but to better define its changing role.

Each of the many designs for airships and airplanes that were produced by the Factory between 1908 and 1918 is described in detail, illustrated by photographs, and with three-view drawings provided for the more prominent designs.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Introduction

Prehistory
A new era begins
Aeroplanes again
Military and other trials
Tested in battle
Enemies in high places
Change and decay
AIRSHIPS: Nulli Secundus
Baby/Beta
Gamma
Delta
Eta
Epsilon
AEROPLANES: A.E.1
A.E.2
A.E.3
Aerial Target
B.E.1
B.E.2
B.E.2a
B.E.2b
B.E.2c
B.E.2d 159
B.E.2e, f and g
B.E.3
B.E.4
B.E.5
B.E.6
B.E.7
B.E.8
B.E.8a
B.E.9
B.E.9a
B.E.10
B.E.11
B.E.12
B.E.12a
B.E.12b
B.S.1
B.S.2
C.E.1
F.E.1
F.E.2
F.E.2a
F.E.2b
F.E.2c
F.E.2d
F.E.2e, f, g and h
F.E.3 (A.E.1)
F.E.4
F.E.5
F.E.6
F.E.7
F.E.8
F.E.9
F.E.10
F.E.11
F.E.12
H.R.E.2
H.R.E.6
N.E.1
R.E.1
R.E.2
R.E.3
R.E.4
R.E.5
R.E.6
R.E.7
R.E.8
R.E.8a
R.E.9
S.E.1
S.E.2
S.E.3
S.E.4
S.E.4a
S.E.5
S.E.5a
S.E.5b
S.E.5E
S.E.6
S.E.7
T.E.1

Appendix 1 Prototype production
Appendix 2 Production machines
Appendix 3 Royal Aircraft Factory engines
Appendix 4 Survivors and reproductions
Endnotes
Index

Paul R. Hare, a retired engineer, has made a lifelong study of early aviation, becoming a recognised authority in his field, and has published several books and numerous magazine articles various aspects of the first war in the air. He first began researching the history of the Royal Aircraft Factory almost 50 years ago and has lectured on the topic both in The UK and the USA as well as acting as technical advisor to a number of restoration or replica building projects.