The Vickers E.F.B.8 was a prototype British twin-engined fighter of the First World War. It was abandoned after only one aircraft was built, single-engined fighters being considered to have superior manoeuvrability.

Development and design In autumn 1915, Vickers were working on the design of a twin-engined fighter, the E.F.B.8 (Experimental Fighting Biplane No. 8) as well as the large, cannon armed Vickers E.F.B.7. This design, which was assigned to Rex Pierson was for a smaller, machine gun armed fighter. With twice the power of Vickers' single-engined pusher Vickers F.B.5 Gunbus, which, while possessing effective armament, was too slow, the E.F.B.8 was hoped to have adequate performance.Bruce 1957, p. 669. Like the E.F.B.7, the E.F.B.8 was a two-bay biplane with a steel-tube structure with plywood-and-fabric covering, being powered by two tractor Gnome Monosoupape rotary engines mounted between the wings. It was, however, much more compact, with a wingspan less and 500 lb (230 kg) lighter. The gunner, armed with a single Lewis gun was sat in the nose, while the pilot, as in the E.F.B.7, sat under the trailing edge of the wings, remote from the gunner, hindering cooperation between them in battle.Mason 1992, pp. 47–48.Bruce 1957, pp. 669–670.

The E.F.B.8 flew in November 1915, demonstrating good performance, being the fastest twin-engined aircraft of 1915,Bruce 1957, p. 670. although not as good a performance as expected.Green and Swanborough 1994, p. 576. It was not considered maneuverable enough for use as a fighter, and with the prospect of better-performing single-engined fighters with synchronised guns, was rejected for production.Bruce 1969, p. 93. The experience designing it proved useful to Pierson, however, when two years later, he came to develop the Vickers Vimy bomber, which was much larger but of similar layout.Andrews and Morgan 1988, p. 76.Mason 1992, p. 48.

Specifications

See also

Notes

References

Andrews, C. F., and Morgan, E. B. Vickers Aircraft since 1908. London: Putnam, Second edition, 1988. . Bruce, J. M. British Aeroplanes 1914–18. London:Putnam, 1957. Bruce, J. M. War Planes of the First World War: Volume Three, Fighters. London: Macdonald, 1969. . Green, William, and Swanborough, Gordon. The Complete Book of Fighters. New York, Smithmark, 1994. . Mason, Francis K. The British Fighter since 1912. Annapolis, Maryland, USA: Naval Institute Press, 1992. .