Some twenty-two Royal Aircraft Factory R.E. 8's were obtained by the Aviation Militaire to reequip n° 6 Squadron.
As with its predecessor the B.E.2c, these machines were also re-engined with a 180 hp. Hispano Suiza, giving the aircraft its distinctive look.
Royal Aircraft Factory RE.8 n° 5 seen at Houtem airbase in 1917.
A Belgian RE.8 still equipped with its original RAF 4a 12 cylinder engine. Compared with the picture of Hispano Suiza equipped
RE.8 n°5 (above) it clearly shows the extend of the modification work undertaken by the Aviation Militaire Belge.
Unmodified N° 6 Squadron RE.8 n° 3/A4323 after a bad landing at Houtem in 1917
Unmodified RE.8 n° 6/A3715 of the Houtem based N° 6 Squadron.
Lt. Stampe & Lt. Rolland in front of their Royal Aircraft Factory RE.8 at Houtem airbase.
Pilot Alphonse Sohet in front of an Aviation Militaire Belge RAF RE.8 of N° 6 Squadron at Houtem airfield in 1917.
Unmodified Napier built RAF RE.8 (RFC A3855) carrying Aviation Militaire N° 1 of N° 6 Squadron seen at Houtem airfield in 1917.
Last updated 02/01/12 10:55 Daniel Brackx