In WW1, the Royal Navy was charged with home defence which included protecting the United Kingdom from the Zeppelin threat. With a culture of aggressive defence that perhaps would not be possible today, the Royal Naval Air Service encouraged by Winston Churchill decided to deal with the problem at source. However, they did not have […]
Ray Rimell has published another Data File of unique interest to WAHT followers – the BE2e at War. Read all about the the genesis and development of the BE2 through World War 1. See many close up images of the 2 WAHT BE2es that have been operated in UK by TVAL this year. […]
WAHT would like to thank Lord March and his staff (Rob Wildeboer and Jeremy Warren in particular) for their fabulous hospitality and wonderful organisation at the Revival. Everything was perfect last weekend from the weather, to the frequent visits of the BBMF and the 2 Lancasters, and to the amazing cars. We had a constant stream of visitors […]
An extract from the diary Capt Smith of 2 Sqn RFC for 10th Apr 1915 graphically depicts the challenges of getting a BE2 across the Channel in the early days of World War 1: “Weather did not clear until yesterday. It was still cloudy this morning but we decided to cross if possible after lunch. […]
Breitling ‘s association with aviation began in and around World War 1. To commemorate this century of support to aviation, WAHT have installed a Breitling clock from the period in their BE2e (top left in the cockpit) currently at Shuttleworth but on its way to Stow Maries shortly. Breitling in return have very generously offered two Breitling […]
With the temporary hangar at Stow Maries nearing completion, the WAHT BE2es will return there on 14th August. As BE2e A2493 has been loaned to WAHT by Oliver Wulff, it is with great pleasure that I can announce that Oliver has joined the WAHT Team which will give a great boost to the project and […]
This magnificent video is taken by Quadcopter and clearly demonstrates the potential of the site at Stow Maries. WAHT is working hard with the Trustees there to make what you see in the video an enduring sight at the Aerodrome. A temporary hangar is being erected soon and we hope that the two BE2s as […]
The front cockpit of a BE2e is a cramped place if you are over 6ft like me (right). Getting into it is a delicate operation and once in you are only half in as your chest and head sit above the coaming getting the full benefits of the 55 mph airstream directly. To add a bit […]
BE2e A2767 being prepared for a familiarisation flight from Old Warden. This week has been very successful with Gene De Marco air testing both aircraft and checking out the pilots who will fly the aircraft when he is back in New Zealand BE2e A2943 in No 7 Squadron "1917" markings […]
The WAHT BE2es being ground run at Shuttleworth in preparation for the Armed Forces Day at Stow Maries on Saturday 28th June. A2767 of No 37 Squadron being prepared to return to its 1917 location at Stow Maries.
