Page 406 - (DK) The Ultimate Visual Dictionary 2nd Ed.

SEA AND AIR

World War I PORT WINGS FROM A BE 2B

Interplane-strut attachment
aircraft Airspeed-indicator tube Leading edge
Intermediate leading-edge rib

WHEN WORLD WAR I STARTED in 1914, the
main purpose of military aircraft was Wingtip
reconnaissance. The British-built BE 2,
of which the BE 2B was a variant, was well-
suited to this duty; it was very stable in flight,
allowing the occupants to study the terrain,
Airspeed-
take photographs, and make notes. The BE 2 indicator Main rib Root
FLYING was also one of the first aircraft to drop bombs. tube
HELMET Interplane Trailing
One of the biggest problems for aircraft strut edge
designers during the war was mounting machine-guns. Airspeed
pilot tube Interplane-strut
On aircraft that had front-mounted propellers, the field
attachment
of fire was restricted by the propeller and other parts of
the aircraft. The problem was solved in 1915 by the
Dutchman Anthony Fokker, who designed an interrupter
gear that prevented a machine-gun from firing when a
propeller blade passed in front of the barrel. The German
LVG CVI had a forward-firing gun to the right of the engine,
as well as a rear-cockpit gun, and a
Upper side of Attachment lug
bombing capability. It was one of
lower wing
the most versatile
aircraft of the war. Observer’s windshield
Cabane strut BE 2B, 1914
fairing
Engine air Top-wing centre section
intake (ram
scoop)
Cabane strut
Wooden propeller
Lift bracing wire
Pilot’s windshield
Air-cooled V8 engine
Plywood skin
Control column
Crankcase
Padded
coaming
Buffed metal cowling

Silencing heat
exchanger
Exhaust pipe
Landing gear Elevator
front strut rocking arm
Step
Ash skid Step
Lateral
Bomb control Reconnaissance
rack wire camera bracket
Pneumatic rubber tire
Lower-wing 112 lb (51 kg)
Wheel cover V-strut attachment bomb

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