WOW699 Royal Aircraft Factory BE-2C Zeppelin Killer

Description

Royal Aircraft Factory BE-2C Zeppelin Killer

Second Lieutenant Frederick Sowrey, DSO, MC, AFC (25 July 1893 – 21 October 1968)

The Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 was a British single-engine  two-seat biplane, designed and developed at the Royal Aircraft Factory. Most of the roughly 3,500 built were constructed under contract by private companies, including established aircraft manufacturers and firms new to aircraft construction. The aircraft was designed extremely well for the reconnaissance role, weight distribution was such that under most flights circumstances, the aircraft would tend to almost right itself to level flight, without any major input from the pilot!

Early versions entered squadron service with the Royal Flying Corps in 1912 and the type served throughout WW 1. initially used as a reconnaissance aircraft and light bomber.  By late 1915, the B.E.2 was proving to be vulnerable to the recently introduced German fighters, leading to increased losses during the period known as the Fokker Scourge. Although by now obsolete, it had to remain in front line service while replacement types were brought into service. Following its belated withdrawal from combat, the B.E. continued to serve in training, communications, and coastal anti-submarine patrol roles.  The aircraft found a new lease of life as a night fighter against the bombing threat to the UK, from the Zeppelin airships.  As a single-seat night fighter the type destroyed 6 German airships between September and December 1916.

B.E.2c serial number 4112 was flown by Second Lieutenant Frederick Sowrey and his first victory was the shooting down of the German Navy Zeppelin L32 during WW I. On the evening of September 23rd 1916, Sowrey was on patrol around Joyce Green, at 13,000 feet, he spotted Zeppelin LZ 74 (L 32) at about 0110 hours and closed with it. Firing three drums of incendiary ammunition into the belly of the beast, before it exploded into flames. There were no survivors from the Zeppelin aircrew.  In WW1 Sowrey became a flying ace, credited with thirteen aerial victories. Having risen rapidly in rank during the war, he remained in service until 1940 and achieved the rank of Group Captain before retiring.

We have 2 each of these 1/30 scale models available priced at $750 plus postage.  

The figures and accessories are shown for scale comparison purposes only and are not included.