The Great War - Aviation - FE-2

As with many of the planes during the first world war, the FE-2 had various improvements and versions made. The first design had a poor performing engine and was quickly replaced by the FE-2B. This plane, although containing a better engine, couldn't keep up with the enemy planes.

Before it was replaced, the FE-2B found fame by shooting down German flying ace Max Immelmann.

Replacement FE-2C was brought out many for night flying missions. This was because, although improvements were made it was still no match for enemy planes and couldn't handle dogfights. So by doing night missions it was thought that the plane would be able to fly undetected.

When the FE-2D was brought out, it soon became highly successful on missions between 1916-1917. However, by the summer of 1917, it was brought back for home defence duties, with the reason being better planes were available to be fighting on the front line. The FE-2D had a maximum speed of 91 mph, a maximum height of 11,000 ft and could carry up to two machine guns. With just a maximum of two and a half hours of flying at any one time, it was no match for modern designs.