The B.E.2b featured an improved top decking, revised flying controls and and a new fuel system.
Deliveries of the B.E.2b commenced in August 1914. 15 aircraft were produced by Bristol (6), Armstrong Whitworth (6) and Hewlett and Blondeau (3), probably all to contract A.2366.
Three Handley Page-produced machines, ordered as B.E.2a were classified as B.E.2b (460, 488 and 709) and also quote contract A.2366.
Contract A.2519 was placed with Jouques for a further 6 machines (2175-2180) and an additional contract (A.3148) for 50 (2770-2819). Whitehead Aircraft of Richmond were awarded contract A.3059 for 6 machines (2884-2889).
Production of B.E.2b machines comprised:
| Serial | Type | Manufacturer | Date | Comments | Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 396 | B.E.2b | British & Colonial /Filton | 08.08.14 | Farn @08.08.14; 2Sq | |
| 487 | B.E.2b | 31.08.14 | Farn @31.08.14; 4Sq | ||
| 492 | B.E.2b | 20.09.14 | Farn @20.09.14; RAS | ||
| 646 | B.E.2b | British & Colonial /Filton | 16.09.14 | Farn @16.09.14; CFS; 6Sq | |
| 650 | B.E.2b | 20.09.14 | Farn @20.09.14; 7Sq | ||
| 484 | B.E.2b | 07.09.14 | Farn broke skid 07.09.14; wrecked en route France 29.09.14 | ||
| 666 | B.E.2b | Armstrong Whitworth | 05.11.14 | Farn @05.11.14; 4RAS | |
| 676 | B.E.2b | 20.11.14 | Farn @20.11.14 | ||
| 493 | B.E.2b | British & Colonial /Filton | 29.08.14 | Del Farn 29.08.14; 6Sq | A2366 |
| 703 | B.E.2b | 14.11.14 | Farn @14.11.14; 4Sq | ||
| 687 | B.E.2b | Armstrong Whitworth | 02.10.14 | Del Farn 02.10.14; RAF for mods | |
| 705 | B.E.2b | Hewlett & Blondeau | 23.10.14 | Del Farn 23.10.14; RAF for mods; CFS | |
| 722 | B.E.2b | 01.12.14 | Farn @01.12.14; 6Sq | ||
| 733 | B.E.2b | 10.12.14 | Farn @10.12.14; 9Sq | ||
| 746 | B.E.2b | Hewlett & Blondeau | 20.01.15 | Del Farn 17.12.14; RAF for mods; 4Sq | A2366 |
| 2175 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | 19Sq @ 08.01.16 | A2519 |
| 2176 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | A2519 | |
| 2177 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | 4RS 11.03.16 | A2519 |
| 2178 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | 8RS 13.04.16 | A2519 |
| 2179 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | 45Sq 15.04.16 | A2519 |
| 2180 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | Crashed 02.06.16 | A2519 |
| 2770 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | A3148 | |
| 2771 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | 43Sq 12.07.16 | A3148 |
| 2772 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | 36Sq 19.06.16 | A3148 |
| 2773 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | WT Flight Lydd 11.08.16 | A3148 |
| 2774 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | 82Sq Beverley @19.02.17 | A3148 |
| 2775 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | 82Sq Beverley @13.02.17 | A3148 |
| 2776 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | A3148 | |
| 2777 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | A3148 | |
| 2778 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | A3148 | |
| 2779 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | A3148 | |
| 2780 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | 18RS Montrose 16.08.16 | A3148 |
| 2781 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | 18RS Montrose 16.08.16 | A3148 |
| 2782 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | 66Sq Patchway 31.08.16 | A3148 |
| 2783 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | 66Sq Patchway 31.08.16 | A3148 |
| 2784 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | 66Sq Patchway 31.08.16 | A3148 |
| 2785 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | - | A3148 |
| 2786 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | - | A3148 |
| 2787 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | - | A3148 |
| 2788 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | - | A3148 |
| 2789 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | - | A3148 |
| 2790 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | - | A3148 |
| 2791 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | - | A3148 |
| 2792 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | - | A3148 |
| 2793 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | - | A3148 |
| 2794 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | - | A3148 |
| 2795 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | - | A3148 |
| 2796 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | - | A3148 |
| 2797 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | CFS | A3148 |
| 2798 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | - | A3148 |
| 2799 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | - | A3148 |
| 2800 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | - | A3148 |
| 2801 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | Canada | A3148 |
| 2802 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | - | A3148 |
| 2803 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | - | A3148 |
| 2804 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | - | A3148 |
| 2805 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | - | A3148 |
| 2806 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | - | A3148 |
| 2807 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | - | A3148 |
| 2808 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | 5Sq | A3148 |
| 2809 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | - | A3148 |
| 2810 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | - | A3148 |
| 2811 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | - | A3148 |
| 2812 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.00.16 | Tested Farn 26.02.17 | A3148 |
| 2813 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.01.17 | Ascot store; 16TS Beaulieu 31.07.17 | A3148 |
| 2814 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.01.17 | 16Sq @17.03.17 | A3148 |
| 2815 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.01.17 | - | A3148 |
| 2816 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.01.17 | - | A3148 |
| 2817 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.01.17 | - | A3148 |
| 2818 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.01.17 | - | A3148 |
| 2819 | B.E.2b | Jouques Av Works /Willesden | 00.01.17 | - | A3148 |
| 2884 | B.E.2b | Whitehead Aircraft /Richmond | 03.12.15 | 27Sq 03.12.15 | A3059 |
| 2885 | B.E.2b | Whitehead Aircraft /Richmond | 14.12.15 | 29Sq 14.12.15 | A3059 |
| 2886 | B.E.2b | Whitehead Aircraft /Richmond | 31.12.15 | 29Sq 31.12.15 | A3059 |
| 2887 | B.E.2b | Whitehead Aircraft /Richmond | 00.00.16 | - | A3059 |
| 2888 | B.E.2b | Whitehead Aircraft /Richmond | 00.00.16 | - | A3059 |
| 2889 | B.E.2b | Whitehead Aircraft /Richmond | 00.00.16 | 34Sq @02.05.16 | A3059 |
Total 77 machines plus 3 Handley Page B.E.2a produced as B.E.2b (included on the B.E.2a list).
The B.E.8 or 'Bloater' was derived from the B.E.3 from which it inherited its nickname. It was essentially a single seat B.E.2 with an 80hp rotary engine.
The first 2 machines (423 and 424) were produced by the Royal Aircraft Factory in November 1913, and they also seem to have produced serial 632 almost a year later.
The first private contractor order in August 1913 was A.2238 for 4 machines, two from British and Colonial (365 and 373) and two from Vickers (377 and probably 391).
A second order (A.2321) for 2 machines was placed in November 1913, seemingly one from Vickers and one from COW.
Order A.2366 was probably for 16 machines (Bristol 4, Vickers 6 and COW 6) in December.
Order A.2304 comprised 2 aircraft produced by Vickers. These were probably the 2 machines earmarked for India (India1 and India2). The aircraft were diverted to the R.F.C. and given serials 624 and 625.
Order A.2567 in July 1914 was for 21 machines (6+15) from Vickers (2133-2153 and 21 (6+15) from COW. This latter contract was also reported as A.2872, which was confused with the final Jouques B.E.2b contract. The Vickers order specified an 80hp Clerget engine rather than a Gnome, and both these latter contracts referred to the type as B.E.8a.
Production comprised:
| Serial | Type | Manufacturer | Date | Comments | Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 423 | B.E.8 | Royal Aircraft Factory | 00.11.13 | CFS | |
| 424 | B.E.8 | Royal Aircraft Factory | 00.11.13 | CFS | |
| 365 | B.E.8 | British & Colonial /Filton | 10.03.14 | Del Farn 10.03.14; tested to destruction 23.06.14 | A2238 |
| 373 | B.E.8 | British & Colonial /Filton | 28.03.14 | Del Farn 28.03.14; 7Sq | A2238 |
| 377 | B.E.8 | Vickers/Erith | 24.04.14 | Del Farn 24.04.14; 5Sq | |
| 391 | B.E.8 | 12.08.14 | Farn @12.08.14; 5Sq | ||
| 399 | B.E.8 | 20.08.14 | Farn @20.08.14; EF | ||
| 479 | B.E.8 | 26.08.14 | Farn @26.08.14; 3Sq | ||
| 624 | B.E.8 | Vickers | 10.08.14 | Farn @10.08.14; Indian1; 6Sq | |
| 625 | B.E.8 | Vickers | 07.08.14 | Farn @07.08.14; Indian2; 3Sq | |
| 632 | B.E.8 | Royal Aircraft Factory | 31.08.14 | Farn @31.08.14; 6Sq | |
| 636 | B.E.8 | British & Colonial /Filton | 04.09.14 | Farn @04.09.14; 6Sq | A2366 |
| 643 | B.E.8 | 00.09.14 | Farn @15.09.14; RNAS | CP59384/14 | |
| 645 | B.E.8 | 12.10.14 | Farn @12.10.14; 1Sq | ||
| 656 | B.E.8 | British & Colonial /Filton? | 03.10.14 | Farn @03.10.14; 1Sq | |
| 658 | B.E.8 | 09.10.14 | Farn @09.10.14 | ||
| 663 | B.E.8 | 06.10.14 | Farn @06.10.14; 1Sq | ||
| 670 | B.E.8 | 13.10.14 | Farn @13.10.14; 1Sq | ||
| 693 | B.E.8 | 17.11.14 | Farn @17.11.14; 1Sq | ||
| 725 | B.E.8 | 24.12.14 | Farn @24.12.14; CFS | ||
| 727 | B.E.8 | 24.12.14 | Farn @24.12.14; 1Sq | ||
| 729 | B.E.8 | 14.12.14 | Farn @14.12.14 | ||
| 736 | B.E.8 | 31.12.14 | Farn @31.12.14 | ||
| 740 | B.E.8 | COW | 01.12.14 | Del Farn 01.12.14; RAF mods; 4RAS | A2366 |
| 2130 | B.E.8 | Vickers | 27.01.15 | Farn @04.03.15; 1Sq | A2366 |
| 2131 | B.E.8 | COW | 25.01.15 | Farn @25.01.15; 1Sq | A2367 |
| 2132 | B.E.8 | COW | 20.02.15 | Farn @20.02.15; 1Sq | A2367 |
| 2133 | B.E.8a | Vickers | 30.03.15 | Farn @30.03.15; 14Sq | A2567 |
| 2134 | B.E.8a | Vickers | 00.04.15 | Farn 07.04.15; 9Sq | A2567 |
| 2135 | B.E.8a | Vickers | 00.05.15 | Farn 07.05.15; 9Sq | A2567 |
| 2136 | B.E.8a | Vickers | 00.04.15 | Farn 23.04.15; 9Sq | A2567 |
| 2137 | B.E.8a | Vickers | 18.07.15 | Farn 18.07.15; 9Sq | A2567 |
| 2138 | B.E.8a | Vickers | 00.08.15 | Farn 06.09.15; 7RAS | A2567 |
| 2139 | B.E.8a | Vickers | 22.08.15 | Farn 22.08.15 | A2567 |
| 2140 | B.E.8a | Vickers | 21.08.15 | Farn 21.08.15; 9Sq | A2567 |
| 2141 | B.E.8a | Vickers | 30.08.15 | Farn 30.08.15 | A2567 |
| 2142 | B.E.8a | Vickers | 12.08.15 | Farn 12.08.15; 9Sq | A2567 |
| 2143 | B.E.8a | Vickers | 12.07.15 | Farn 12.07.15; 13Sq | A2567 |
| 2144 | B.E.8a | Vickers | 04.06.15 | Farn 04.06.15; 9Sq | A2567 |
| 2145 | B.E.8a | Vickers | 00.06.15 | - | A2567 |
| 2146 | B.E.8a | Vickers | 00.06.15 | - | A2567 |
| 2147 | B.E.8a | Vickers | 00.06.15 | - | A2567 |
| 2148 | B.E.8a | Vickers | 00.06.15 | - | A2567 |
| 2149 | B.E.8a | Vickers | 18.06.15 | Farn 18.06.15; 9Sq | A2567 |
| 2150 | B.E.8a | Vickers | 06.09.15 | Farn 06.09.15; 7RAS | A2567 |
| 2151 | B.E.8a | Vickers | 00.09.15 | 7RAS | A2567 |
| 2152 | B.E.8a | Vickers | 11.10.15 | Farn 11.10.15; 7RAS | A2567 |
| 2153 | B.E.8a | Vickers | 08.11.15 | Farn 08.11.15; 28Sq | A2567 |
| 2154 | B.E.8a | COW | 04.06.15 | Farn 04.06.15; 9Sq | A2872 |
| 2155 | B.E.8a | COW | 24.06.15 | Farn 24.06.15; 17Sq | A2872 |
| 2156 | B.E.8a | COW | 01.06.15 | Farn 01.06.15; 17Sq | A2872 |
| 2157 | B.E.8a | COW | 00.06.15 | - | A2872 |
| 2158 | B.E.8a | COW | 00.06.15 | 6Bde | A2872 |
| 2159 | B.E.8a | COW | 00.06.15 | 48Sq | A2872 |
| 2160 | B.E.8a | COW | 00.06.15 | Farn @10.11.15; 7RAS | A2872 |
| 2161 | B.E.8a | COW | 00.06.15 | - | A2872 |
| 2162 | B.E.8a | COW | 00.06.15 | CFS | A2872 |
| 2163 | B.E.8a | COW | 00.06.15 | 48Sq | A2872 |
| 2164 | B.E.8a | COW | 00.06.15 | 48Sq | A2872 |
| 2165 | B.E.8a | COW | 00.06.15 | - | A2872 |
| 2166 | B.E.8a | COW | 00.06.15 | - | A2872 |
| 2167 | B.E.8a | COW | 00.06.15 | - | A2872 |
| 2168 | B.E.8a | COW | 00.06.15 | - | A2872 |
| 2169 | B.E.8a | COW | 00.06.15 | - | A2872 |
| 2170 | B.E.8a | COW | 00.06.15 | - | A2872 |
| 2171 | B.E.8a | COW | 00.06.15 | - | A2872 |
| 2172 | B.E.8a | COW | 00.06.15 | Farn 13.10.15 | A2872 |
| 2173 | B.E.8a | COW | 00.06.15 | - | A2872 |
| 2174 | B.E.8a | COW | 00.06.15 | - | A2872 |
Total 69 machines.