RAF BE2C single-seater

[christophe francois]

"In November 1916, 3 BE2Cs from the Coastal Air Station at Great Yarmouth intercepted and shot down Zeppelin L21.

The three pilots were Flight–Lieutenant Egbert Cadbury, flying RAF BE 2C, No. 8265 , Flight Sub–Lieutenant Gerard William Reginald Fane, flying RAF BE 2C No. 8421 and Flight Sub–Lieutenant Edward Laston Pulling, flying RAF BE 2C, No. 8626.

Pulling got a DSO, and Cadbury and Fane got DSCs for this action."

This version of the events is related in the same manner everywhere I looked. As there is no mention of observers, I assume these three pilots were flying a single-seater version of the BE2C. However, I also read that the single-seater version was called BE12, one that had an auxiliary fuel tank on the centre of gravity, in the position of the observer's seat.

My question is, were these three pilots flying BE12s or is there another single-seater version of the BE2C that I am not aware of ?

Thanks for your help.

[Doc]

Francis Mason's book "The British Fighter Since 1912" has a photo of a RNAS B.E.2C "modified as a single seat fighter". Later, he mentions that "Some of the RNAS aircraft were flown as single-seat night fighters, the observer's front cockpit faired over". These seem to have been converted locally, rather than being produced de novo as were the B.E. 12.

Doc

[christophe francois]

Thanks for the info. I am working on a mini-biography of Egbert Cadbury and I'd like to add a profile of his BE2C.

[Doc]

Originally Posted by christophe francois

Thanks for the info. I am working on a mini-biography of Egbert Cadbury and I'd like to add a profile of his BE2C.

You're welcome. Just for information, Thetford's "British Naval Aircraft 1912-58" also mentions the conversions, but gives no more information than what I gave previously.

Lewis's "The British Fighter Since 1912" also has no more information for you than does Mason's book.

Sorry to not be able to help more--- Not my area. Doc