BE2a early variant for the RAAF Museum, Point Cook

[Aerohistory]

Hi everyone at the Aerodrome. I'm a new member and write to introduce myself and my project. I'm a full-time volunteer at the RAAF Museum, Point Cook, Victoria, Australia and I have undertaken a project to build a BE2a to go with the two other aircraft that the Museum has already had donated - a Deperdussin monoplane and an airworthy Bristol Boxkite which is nearing completion. This will complete the complement of three aircraft types the Central Flying School first used during 1914-15. Point Cook is the oldest continuously operating military airfield in the world and the centenary in 2014 gives me a firm date by which to complete my project.
The BE2a I am building dates from February 1911 and had the wider upper span with some unique modifications to the wings to strengthen them as a one-off. From the dates on the plans the Royal Aircraft Factory was working on the BE2a variant about eight months before BE1 first flew and the story of BE development through the study of these plans is fascinating. All three types (a total of five aircraft) were ordered by the Australian Government in 1912, directly from British & Colonial (Bristol) and were delivered to Australia in early 1914. All had to be recovered immediately as they had developed mildew during the sea trip owing to bad packing.
Originally specified materials are being used and a local timber 'substitute' for English ash being allowed for, with a traditional clear doped linen finish. A rudder frame has been covered and displayed at the Avalon Airshow in March of this year. It survived a storm which blew away the marquee in which it was displayed, too! Further info as requested by anyone.

[Chock]

Hi and welcome.

Nice to see one of the less celebrated WW1 craft getting a look in. The BE2 is of course much maligned, but it wasn't a bad Zeppelin killer in later years, and despite not being a great fighting machine against other fixed wing aircraft, like most artillery spotters, it actually did more damage to the enemy than the average plane. Sort of like the old trick question of which was the most devastating attack plane in WW2, with the answer being the L4 Piper Cub, since it could bring more firepower onto a target than anything else when spotting for artillery.

Anyway, hope the reproduction goes well.

Al

[tcrean7828]

Mate,
Welcome to the flagship of the Aerodrome - where the greatest minds on the planet get together and talk about their favorite subject - WW1.

ttfn

tcrean7828

tom

P.S. Werner Voss fan here.