About This Image

Large-format print on mount. This photograph shows an officer in the Royal Flying Corps (forerunner of the Royal Air Force) seated in the cockpit of a Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 biplane. Just visible on the fuselage is the top part of a black triangle, indicating that this aircraft belonged to No. 2 Squadron of the RFC, which at this time was based in Merville on the Western Front. Merville is a commune in the Nord department and Hauts-de-France region of northern France. At the outbreak of war, these early B.E.2s formed part of the equipment of the first three squadrons of the RFC to be sent to France. The aircraft here is still uncamouflaged, indicating that this photograph was made prior to 1917.

Merville, France was a significant location during World War I, serving as a convalescent depot for Indian troops and an area of intense fighting during the Battle of the Lys in 1918. The Merville Communal Cemetery and its extension hold over 1,200 Commonwealth and French graves from WWI, a testament to the heavy fighting in the region.

The Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 is a British single-engine tractor two-seat biplane, designed and developed at the Royal Aircraft Factory. Most of the roughly 3,500 built were constructed under contract by private companies, including established aircraft manufacturers and firms new to aircraft construction.

Early versions entered squadron service with the Royal Flying Corps in 1912 and the type served throughout the First World War. Initially used as a reconnaissance aircraft and light bomber, as a single-seat night fighter the type destroyed six German airships between September and December 1916.

By late 1915, the B.E.2 was proving to be vulnerable to the recently introduced German Fokker Eindecker fighters, leading to increased losses during the period known as the Fokker Scourge. Although by now obsolete, it had to remain in front line service while replacement types were brought into service. Following its belated withdrawal from combat, the B.E. continued to serve in training, communications, and coastal anti-submarine patrol roles.

The B.E.2 became the subject of controversy. From the B.E.2c variant onward, it had been developed to be inherently stable, which was helpful for artillery observation and aerial photography duties. However this stability was achieved at the expense of manoeuvrability; moreover the observer, in the front seat ahead of the pilot, had a limited field of fire for his gun.

Most U.S. domestic Fed Ex ground shipping (Media Mail for books) will be a flat $25 charge except for larger and heavier items, or unless the buyer wants express shipping (email us your requests for the latter). International shipping and insurance costs will be added to the price and must be paid for by the buyer. Pennsylvania buyers must pay appropriate local sales tax. International clients are responsible for their local customs duties and taxes, which will be charged by Fed Ex, which will contact the client prior to delivery.