Albatros Productions, Ltd.

The FE2B Flies Again! Recreating a WWI Legend

by  Gene DeMarco, Peter Jackson, Philip Makenna, Ray Rimell, and Harry Woodman

Reviewed By  Brian R. Baker, IPMS# 43146

MSRP: £20.00 ISBN: 978-1-906798-01-7 Website: www.windsockdatafilespecials.co.uk              www.thevintageaviator.co.nz The FE-2B was a large, ungainly two seat biplane developed for the Royal Flying Corps in 1915 before anyone was certain exactly how a combat airplane should be designed. Following the limited production of the FE-2A, the FE-2B, the major variant, was powered by a water-cooled 160 hp. Beardmore engine turning a four bladed pusher prop. The structure included a two-man fuselage pod with the gunner, pilot, and engine located front to rear in that order, and four horizontal exposed structural members supporting the tail surfaces. These units were copiously braced with smaller struts and wires, the result being an immensely strong airframe that could withstand violent combat maneuvering and considerable battle damage. The first models had a conventional type landing gear, with a tailskid and small anti-turnover wheels at the front. Later the nose wheels were deleted. The gunner was seated in front of the pilot in a very exposed position, and was expected to fire two mounted Lewis machine guns in separate mounts. He had to do this standing in the slipstream with no protection from the wind, or any kind of seatbelt or restraint holding him in place, except sometimes a restraining cable. The pilot, whose position was more secure, had no vision to the rear, and he had to rely on the gunner to observe in that direction. Without an intercom, it was a difficult situation for both crew members, and it is a wonder that the crews accomplished anything at all. Of course, nobody wore parachutes in those days. FE-2Bs were issued to a number of squadrons in 1915, and the intention was originally to use the airplane as a fighter. The introduction of the Fokker Eindekker with the interrupter gear made the FE-2B obsolete in the fighter role, and it was soon replaced in fighter units by more modern aircraft. Attempts were made to use more heavily armed versions as night interceptors against zeppelins, but its performance was so low that it was not successful in this role. Finally, a use was found, and the planes were used as night bombers starting in 1917, and the type continued in production until the end of the Great War. Its final replacement was the Handley Page 0/400. But this story does not stop here. There is a lot more. The New Zealand firm, The Vintage Aviator Ltd. had previously built four reproduction SE-5A biplane fighters, three of which are powered by original Hispano Suiza engines. With this experience under their belts, their next project was a full-scale replica/reproduction of an FE-2B. A considerable amount of research ensued, resulting in finding some original parts and an original Beardmore engine with many of the original components still attached to the engine. They even had an original propeller, which they used as a pattern for the ones they constructed. Other parts had to be fabricated from scratch, and they found that the FE-2B had many types of fittings and accessories that were not used on any other type of aircraft. All of these had to be designed and manufactured from drawings and blueprints that were available, a very time-consuming job. Computer design and other high technology process made the job easier, but the end result was TWO complete FE-2B airframes, both of which are flyable airplanes. At least one has already flown, and the in-flight photos included in the book are remarkable. The design and construction process took about three years, and the first flight was in March, 2009, over ninety years after the aircraft initially entered service. The authors give a detailed account on what the airplane was like to fly, including how the crew had to coordinate their actions in combat. Certainly, flying in this airplane during World War I operations must have been truly "above and beyond the call of duty", and I certainly admire the aircrews that flew combat in this aircraft. They must have been extraordinary men. The Book The authors, and this is a multi-authored text, begin with a brief description of the design and service life of the FE-2B. Firsthand accounts are given by pilots and aircrew who had to fly the airplane in combat, and many contemporary photographs are provided. Strangely, many of the photos are taken of aircraft captured by the Germans, who seemed peculiarly interested in the type. A very nice 1/48 scale color three view drawing is included, along with many color views of the aircraft in the construction process as well as in completed form. The air-to-air shots are nothing short of spectacular. Windsock Data Files previously published a similar book on the FE-2D (No. 134) but this book in no way duplicates any of the material in that publication. This is entirely new, and much more extensive in its content. The books actually complement each other, and both should be a part of the library of any serious student of World War I aviation history. As far as I know, no kit has been issued of this aircraft in any scale. Kit manufacturers, take note! So this isn’t just another historical account of a historically significant aircraft. It also outlines the design and construction of two flying examples, full scale flying models, if you will. It doesn’t get any better than this. Don’t miss out on this one. Highly recommended. Thanks to Albatros Publications, and of IPMS for the review copy. Available from Albatros Productions, ltd., 10 Long View, Chiltern Park Estate, Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4 1BY United Kingdom. Website: www.windsockdatafilespecials.co.uk