FE2d

Hello to all,
Can anyone please tell me the differences between the FE2b and FE2d, I am trying to compile details on the FE2d as used by 25 Sqn RFC April 1917. Also I read somewhere (sorry forget now where) that the pilot sat in the front in the FE2d. I do not think this is correct as he sat in the rear of the FE2b, could anyone confirm or not.

Best regards.
Peter.

[Dan_San_Abbott]

fellop:
The F.E.2b had originally the 120hp Beardmore engine, later F.E.2b aircraft had the 160 hp Beardmore. The F.E.2d had the 250 hp rolls Royce Mark I Eagle and later production had the 284 hp Mark III rolls Royce Eagle. Both the F.E.2b and the F.E.2d use the oleo and the V style landing gears.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

[leo]

Thee Fee's enjoyed a long and productive career, being used all through the war from its date of introduction. Didn't one get MvR?

[wolfenbill]

The Fe pilots sat in the rearward cockpit

[Cigogne]

The Beardmore engine of the F.E.2b was aircooled and an inline-six with the exhaust manifold on one side of the engine.

It didn't have the big radiator but had scoops on the sides of the nacelle behind/below the pilot.

Also, the F.E.2d can be recognized by the huge shuttered radiator directly behind the pilot's cockpit and the cylinder banks of the vee- twelve Rolls Royce Eagle engine and the different exhaust stacks on both sides of the nacelle.

[Cigogne]

... There was a variant called the F.E.2c. It was an F.E.2b but had the pilots controls in the FRONT cockpit. An example appears in Les Rogers British Aircraft Unit Markings book of WWI.

[Barrett]

Of all the crew assignments in military aviation history, a Fee gunner had to top the list. With or without a safety belt, standing on the bench to shoot over the top of the wing must've been an E ticket ride!
Hoo-eeeee!!!!!!

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Cigogne:
The 120 hp Beardmore, was a water cooled engine. The radiator was mounted above the upper longerons and airscoops were on both sides of the nacelle just forward of the cabane struts. The 160 hp Beardmore had the same radiator arrangement. Ref. "British Aeroplanes", by J.M.Bruce, page 392, photo 337. Text on page 391, 4th paragraph.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

[Cigogne]

Thanks Dan-San! I'd like to see the details on that. I had also looked at the Martinsyde G.100 and 102s that also used the Beardmore 120-160. They had that open fronted cowling with no radiator. I always assumed that it might be air-cooled. I'll also have to check where the radiators were installed on that a/c as well. I don't have the Bruce book. I'll check around.