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Subject: Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8
Date: 6 Dec 2016 16:48:00 -0800
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armstrong_Whitworth_F.K.8
The Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8 was a British two-seat general-purpose biplane
built by Armstrong Whitworth during the First World War. The type served
alongside the better known R.E.8 until the end of the war, at which point 694
F.K.8s remained on RAF charge.
The aircraft, originally designated the F.K.7, was designed by Dutch aircraft
designer Frederick Koolhoven as a replacement for the Royal Aircraft Factory
B.E.2c and the Armstrong Whitworth F.K.3. It was a sturdier aircraft than the
F.K.3, with a larger fuselage and wings, and was powered by a 160 hp (110 kW)
Beardmore water-cooled engine. The undercarriage used oleo shock absorbers and
the observer was equipped with a Scarff ring mounting for a .303 in (7.7 mm)
Lewis machine gun. No armament was initially provided for the pilot. The rudder
featured a long, pointed horn-balance.
The type had several teething troubles: the oleo undercarriage was unable to
withstand rough use on the front line airfields, tail skids frequently broke and
the original radiators blocked up quickly. Following instructions issued on 30
April 1917, some F.K.8s were refitted with simplified vee-undercarriages from
Bristol F.2 Fighters. This soon led to a temporary shortage of these
undercarriages and the practice had to be discontinued until May 1918, after
which several F.K.8s were fitted with revised undercarriages. Most production
F.K.8s had modifications to the wings, gunner's seat and the exhaust system. The
tall inverted vee radiators incorporated improved tubes which reduced the
blockages. On later aircraft the nose cowling was redesigned and smaller box
radiators were standardised.
Role
Bomber/Reconnaissance aircraft
Manufacturer
Armstrong Whitworth
Designer
Frederick Koolhoven
First flight
May 1916
Primary users
Royal Flying Corps
Qantas
Number built
1,650
Developed from
Armstrong Whitworth F.K.7
The first squadron to take the type to France was 35 Squadron RFC, in January
1917. The type eventually served with several squadrons on operations in France,
Macedonia, Palestine and for home defence, proving more popular in service than
its better known contemporary the R.E.8. The F.K.8 was principally used for
corps reconnaissance but was also used for light bombing, being capable of
carrying up to six 40 lb (20 kg) phosphorus smoke bombs, up to four 65 lb (29
kg) bombs or two 112 lb (51 kg) bombs on underwing racks.
Two Victoria Crosses were won by pilots of F.K.8s; one by Second Lieutenant Alan
Arnett McLeod of No. 2 Squadron RFC, on 27 March 1918 and the second by Captain
Ferdinand Maurice Felix West of No. 8 Squadron RAF on 10 August 1918.
Specifications (F.K.8)
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 31 ft 5 in (9.58 m)
Wingspan: 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m)
Height: 10 ft 11 in (3.33 m)
Empty weight: 1,916 lb (869 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 2,811 lb (1,275 kg)
kW)
Performance
Maximum speed: 83 kn (95 mph, 153 km/h) at sea level
Service ceiling: 13,000 ft (3,960 m)
Endurance: 3 hours
Armament
mounted .303 in Lewis gun
Bombs: up to 260 lb (118 kg) bombs
*
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