Principle armament for the observer was a single 7.7mm Lewis machine gun, placed on a trainable mount. With his great field of view and firing arc, the observer was capable of handling most any target ahead of the aircraft. Interestingly enough, a second Lewis machine gun was later added, this one facing to the rear and mounted on the surface of the top wing assembly, requiring the observer to stand in his cockpit to fire the weapon. In theory, this provided the F.E.2 some defense from rear-approaching attackers but in actuality this made for a very dangerous situation for the observer to be in considering any action taken by the pilot could result in the observer being thrown overboard.
The F.E.2a model appeared as a limited production batch, numbering some twelve examples. This was followed by the more capable F.E.2b which replaced the previous Green-brand engines with Beardmore types of 120 horsepower (later upped to 160 horsepower). The F.E.2b became the main production model and was followed by an F.E.2c and F.E.2d model. The former was an experimental platform tested as a night fighter/bomber with switched positions for pilot and observer unlike the F.E.2b layout. The latter was a more powerful type fitted with a Rolls-Royce Eagle engine with an impressive output of some 250 horsepower increasing performance and overall power somewhat. Defensive armament was also increased with additional forward-fixed machine guns operated by the pilot.
Overall, the F.E.2 series lead a long and distinguished career as both fighter and bomber. Though outclassed by later models on both sides, the aircraft still maintained an operational role for quite some time despite this. The F.E.2 proved to be a difference maker during the crucial months of the Fokker Scourge, fielded alongside Bristol Scouts and others. Her apparent limitations as a day-time performer eventually led to her being used successful as a night bomber and night fighter (against the slower-moving German threats like Zeppelins and bombers). The F.E.2 proved a noticeable adversary by war's end, being responsible for the downing of German ace Max Immelmann (though this was disputed by the Germans, accounting his loss to "friendly fire").
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