B.E.2c question
 

This falls under the category of "Things-I-Should-Know-Before-I-Build-The-Roden-Model".

One simple question: The B.E.2c (both early and late) had a ply covered lower fuselage rather than fabric, right?

Cheers,

Here is a link that may help, although the bottom is frustratingly hard to make out.

BE2c detail photos

IHTH,
RAGIII

no, only the deck between the cockpit openings was plywood covered, the rest of the fuselage was wood frame covered with linen.

Then I am confused as.........
 

........the thumbnail I posted above is of Vintage Aviation"s early B.E.2c repro and shows a ply belly. The DataFile on the "C" does not answer my question one way or the other.

BE.2c (Early Type) build | The Vintage Aviator

Here's one with a linen bottom!

http://airminded.org/wp-content/img/travel/iwm-be2c.jpg

Hi Gary,

I would have assumed that albatros1234 was correct, but I searched for John McKenzie's "My Be2b Reproduction" thread. Both the bottom and top of the fuselage are covered with plywood. It is unclear whether the plywood on the bottom is later covered with fabric, like that on top.

This is a reproduction, not original, but John McKensie's research, like his craftsmenship, is usually first rate. You might try sending him a private message, if he does not reply here first.

Steve

I have no personal knowledge, but the usually reliable O.G. Thetford notes that the BE-2c fuselage was a "wooden structure, fabric covered" (Aircraft of the 1914-18 War"). This terminology could be subject to interpretation, but in view of his description of the BE2, 2a, and 2b as having a wooden frame which was fabric-covered, I would interpret his description of the 2c as meaning a plywood body with fabric covering, rather than fabric over framing. Doc

Hi All

There is a photo on page 147 of Paul R Hares book the Royal Aircraft factory showing the airframe without linen covering bottom plywood and top plywood covered starting at the engine bearer/firewall running in a straight line to the tail. the section of fuselage between floor and line of engine bearer to tail is open (when uncovered. The imperial war museum has on totally linen covered

heres a link RAF BE.2

the be2 d pics will give you an idea.

cheers

Andrew

Me too!
 

Hi Gary,
Since I'm about to send my Roden BE2c to the paint shop, I have tons of questions, as well. I'm assuming you have the Datafile? If you do, check out page 30, photo at the top of the page showing the Fiery Grapnel anti-airship weapon. It clearly shows a plywood bottom with fabric wrapped part way under and either tacked, nailed or screwed into place.
Cheers and good luck with your build,
Bud

BE...Ply wood.
 

Hi all ......All BE2 machines up to and including early BE2C aircraft , had 3/32" plywood sheet covering , top and bottom , of the rear fuselage section .The single bay under the pilots position was 1/8" ply .The fabric cover went on ,over all of the ply surfaces , sides being laced shut for acces to the wire bracings .

The pilot/observers cockpit pannel (3/32"ply) was fabriced on the BE2c and supposed to be painted battleship grey ...This part was removeable , hence the 1/2 round beading at its lower edge , against which it sits.

Up till the "C" ,the fabric sides came down at the front fuselage portion , slightly curved , via a mid-way stringer , just to as far as the top of the lower longerons ( some like to call these "patterns" ),also fixed by 1/2 round beading , thus , these lower front portion longerons were initially exposed and shelac varnished .
However with the introduction of the "C" , the lower wing was brought back by one fuselage bay , in conjunction with a new non-liftinfg tailplane , and the front portion fuselage fabric was then enabled to continued down to cover these lower longerons . The mid-way stringer was omitted and the sides now made flat .Forward of the plywood , the floor was composed of 1/2" tongue and groove spruce pannelling .
With "low" exhausts , this was protected by ally' sheet .This was not necessary with the introduction of the "high "exhaust system .

BE2A fuselage frames that were otherwise spare or obsolete , were updated to BE2C specs' ,(with plywood sheeting , top & bottom remaining ) ,and additionaly , convertion drawings made for alterations to RAF1 motor replacing the Renault .
The plywood and spruce sheeting served to brace the frame in the horizontal plane on these earlier machines , so that wire bracing was not employed in the horizontal planes on all the BE2 series up till part way through the BE2C production , these frames having much commonality to the earlier "A & B " models .

Later , during it's production , BE2C machines underwent a number of alterations , and , in respect to the fuselage , these included lightened and altered fittings and " Replacement " of the 3/32" ply sheeting of Earlier "C " models , with wire (sic.) horizontal cross bracing , top and bottom .
The actual wires now used were round swaged wires with end forks , as opposed to the 12 swg "piano" wire and turnbuckles of the earlier BE2C 's.
New fuselage drawings were issued , at every stage , for all these changes .
Regards John M:)