RE8s pictured near Albert, France, during the first battle of Bapaume, March 1918 (IWM neg Q11987)

The Royal Aircraft Factory RE8 - RE stood for Reconnaissance Experimental - was introduced into RFC service in 1916.

Reconnaissance and artillery-spotting were vital in the static Western Front environment and the RE8 became one of the most widely used aircraft in these roles. Although extremely stable in flight the RE8's poor manoeuvrability and low speed made it a prime target for enemy fighters.

Despite these defects the RE8 equipped 19 squadrons on the Western Front by October 1918.

Over 4,000 RE8s were built between 1916 and 1918 but Duxford's example is one of the only two complete RE8s to have survived.

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