Cross & Cockade International

Unglamorous, but neither ineffective nor unloved ...

This is the story of the FE2b and its variants, a long story, that began before the First World War and continued beyond, encompassing on the way many episodes of heroism and success as well as tragedy.

‘... a big, large-boned aircraft, it looked old before its time, yet performed outstandingly well in a wide variety of roles from day-fighting to night bombing, from reconnaissance to anti-submarine operations and from training to air defence. The Fee saw longer service on the Western Front than any other type – from all the air forces engaged...’

The FE2b is a victim of that strange law of aircraft preservation which generally ensures that, the more of a type were built, the fewer the survivors. In fact there is no complete original. So it comes about that this first full-length study of the type, researched and produced by Cross & Cockade International in collaboration with the Royal Air Force Museum, will be published to coincide with the unveiling of a reconstructed aircraft, based on surviving original components, to be exhibited in the Museum’s Bomber Command Hall.

‘ ...It is hoped that these combined efforts will bring back to life an important yet long-neglected aircraft and properly celebrate the achievements of all those associated with the Fee throughout the First World War.’