Albatros Productions Ltd.

Windsock Datafile No. 134 R.A.F. FE-2D

by  P. R. Hare

Reviewed By  Brian R. Baker, IPMS# 43146

MSRP: £10.85 (Approx. $22.00) ISBN: 978-1-906798-00-0 Paperback: 32 Pages plus covers, 7 color plates, 42 photos, 7 pages of drawings. Companion to DF No. 18 on FAF FE-2b. Albatros Publications, 10 Long View, Chiltern Park Estate, Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4 1BY UK Website: www.windsockdatafilespecials.co.uk The Book The FE-2d series of biplanes, which along with their stablemate the FE-2b, provided much of the aerial support for the British Army on the Western front during 1916 and 1917, was originally designed as a fighter, unbelievable as it may seem. It was a large, ungainly two seat pusher biplane powered initially by a 250 hp. Rolls Royce Eagle Mk. I, and later the 275 hp. Mk. III, while some later production models had the 160 hp. Beardmore engine, in order to save the Eagles for more modern types. Armament consisted of two Lewis guns on swivel mounts, one being fired by the observer in the front cockpit, and the other by the pilot in the rear cockpit. Initially opposed by such German fighters as the Fokker Eindekkers, they were later faced by more modern aircraft, resulting in their replacement by 1917. This book contains a wealth of information on this unique aircraft, and is well suited to the historian, enthusiast, and modeler alike. Superb drawings are included in 1/72 and 1/48 scale, along with a number of color profiles. The photos are generally of very good quality, as the photographers at that time used some fairly sophisticated cameras using glass plate negatives. Strangely, many of the pictures are from German sources, as quite a few of these planes were brought down by enemy action. The text is clearly written, and the photo captions make very interesting reading. Recommendation This book should become the definitive work on this aircraft, and is a "must have' for anyone interested in World War I aviation. Don't miss out on this one. It will be a good companion for the FE-2b book. Thanks to Albatros productions and IPMS/USA for the review copy.