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Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2A reconnaissance plane
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Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2A reconnaissance plane
Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2A two-seater reconnaissance plane, the first British aircraft to land in France two weeks after the outbreak of the First World War. The pilot, Lieutenant Harvey-Kelley, can be seen lying on the ground to the right, smoking and studying a map. Date: circa 1914
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Media ID 14223433
© Hugh W. Cowin Aviation Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
Biplane Harvey Lieutenant Lying Outbreak Pilot Reconnaissance Seater Studying Kelley
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the moment of history when the Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2A, the first British aircraft to land in France two weeks after the outbreak of the First World War, touched down on a makeshift airfield. The date is circa 1914, and the scene is one of both excitement and uncertainty as the new era of aerial warfare began to unfold. Lieutenant Harvey-Kelley, the intrepid pilot at the helm of this two-seater reconnaissance plane, can be seen to the right of the image, lying on the grassy ground with a map spread before him and a cigarette dangling from his lips. His focus is unwavering as he studies the terrain, planning the next mission for his vital role in gathering intelligence for the British forces. The Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2A, a biplane with a distinctive triangular wing design, was a key component in the early days of the Royal Flying Corps. This aircraft, with its open cockpit and unprotected crew, represented a significant leap in military aviation technology. The image of the BE 2A, nestled among the rolling fields and surrounded by a small crowd of onlookers, serves as a poignant reminder of the bravery and innovation that characterized the early days of the First World War. This photograph, with its rich historical significance, offers a glimpse into a time when the skies above the battlefields were a new and untapped frontier. The BE 2A and its crew, including Lieutenant Harvey-Kelley, played a crucial role in shaping the course of the war and paving the way for the future of military aviation.
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