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ADF-SERIALS

Australian New Zealand & Papua New Guinea Military Aircraft Serials & History
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 This site is devoted to providing as complete a record as possible of aircraft operated by the ADF, NZDF & PNGDF.
Included where known are brief summaries of the history and current status of aircraft employed in Australian New Zealand & PNG Military Service.

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AFC Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8
1, 3 & 7 Sqns, AFC

R.E.8 A4397 3 SQN, AFC.
 

RAF R.E.8 Image Gallery
 
Aircraft Serial Aircraft History
A3541 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A3648 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A3641 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.

Pilot of 3 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, seated in the cockpit of a Royal Aircraft Factory RE8, A3641, France, 1917 NLA Image
A3661 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A3662 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.

R.E.8 A3662 "J" 3 Squadron Bailleul 30th November 1917
A3665 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A3667 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A3673 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A3674 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A3745 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A3748 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A3753 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A3754 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A3755 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A3756 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A3758 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A3763 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A3796

Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co.,
17/10/1917 To A Flight, 1 Sqn, AFC ex Air Park,
18/01/1918 To Air Park.
A3804 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co.,
Served with 1 Sqn, AFC.
A3806 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co.,
Served with 1 Sqn, AFC.
A3808

Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co.,
11/12/1917 To 1 Sqn, AFC ex 14 Sqn, RFC,                                     
31/01/1918 To 5th Wg, RFC.
A3815 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A3816 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A3817 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A3818 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A3821 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A3851 Build by D.Napier & Sons Ltd., Acton,
Served with 1 Sqn, AFC.
A3871 Build by D.Napier & Sons Ltd., Acton,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A4166 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry.

RE8 A4166 SE5A A4849being assembled. AWM D00050
A4307 Built by the Austin Motor Co. Ltd., Birmingham,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A4339 Built by the Austin Motor Co. Ltd., Birmingham,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A4397 Built by the Austin Motor Co. Ltd., Birmingham,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
This aircraft set a record for British Forces on the Western front by completing 440 hours of service flying including 147 flights over enemy lines.
A4397 was later shipped to Australia where it was placed on display in he aircraft exhibition held in Melbourne in June 1920.

R.E.8 A4397 3 SQN, AFC.  R.E.8 A4397
A4404 Built by the Austin Motor Co. Ltd., Birmingham,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A4405

Built by the Austin Motor Co. Ltd., Birmingham,
 21/11/1917 To B Flight, 1 Sqn, AFC ex Air Park,                         
11/02/1918 To 5th Wg, RFC.
A4407

Built by the Austin Motor Co. Ltd., Birmingham,
 22/10/1917 To A Flight, 1 Sqn, AFC ex Air Park,
13/12/1917 To Air Park.
A4408

Built by the Austin Motor Co. Ltd., Birmingham,
 22/10/1917 To B Flight, 1 Sqn, AFC ex Air Park,                           
10/02/1918 To 5th Wg, RFC.
A4439 Built by the Standard Motor Co., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
A4663

Built by the Standard Motor Co., Coventry,
16/11/1917 To B Flight, 1 Sqn, AFC ex Air Park, 
09/01/1918 To Air Park.
A4738? Built by the Coventry Ordnance Works Ltd., Coventry,
3 Sqn, AFC records indicate that an RE8 serialled either A4738 or A4758 was on charge
A4758? Built by the Coventry Ordnance Works Ltd., Coventry,
3 Sqn, AFC records indicate that an RE8 serialled either A4738 or A4758 was on charge
A4759 Built by the Coventry Ordnance Works Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
B2253 Build by D.Napier & Sons Ltd.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
B2259 Build by D.Napier & Sons Ltd.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
26/01/1918 Lost with crew killed:
Clarrie Donahay
John Blair

Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8, B2259, biplane that killed Lieutenant Donohue, France, 1917 NLA Image
B2270 Build by D.Napier & Sons Ltd.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
B2271 Build by D.Napier & Sons Ltd.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
B2275 Build by D.Napier & Sons Ltd.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
B2795 Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.?
This serial belongs to an Airco D.H.6.

RE8 C2795NO. 3 SQUADRON AUSTRALIAN FLYING CORPS
B3420 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
B3430 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
B3431 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
B3455 Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
Suspect serial?
B4048 Built by No.2 (Northern) Aircraft Repair Depot, Coal Ashton, Shefield,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
B5015 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
B5018 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
B5043 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
B5081 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
B5097 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
B5105 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
B5851

Built by Ausin Motors Co.,
 22/10/1917 To C Flight, 1 Sqn, AFC ex Air Park,
11/01/1918 Crashed on Take off near Mejdel,            
18/01/1918 To Air Park.
B5852

Built by Ausin Motors Co.,
 5/10/1917 To B Flight, 1 Sqn, AFC ex Air Park,
09/01/1918 To Air Park.
B5853

Built by Ausin Motors Co.,
 23/10/1917 To C Flight, 1 Sqn, AFC ex Air Park,
13/12/1917 To Air Park.
B5854

Built by Ausin Motors Co.,
 29/11/1917 To C Flight, 1 Sqn, AFC,
04/01/1918 Lt killed after collision with British aircraft,                     
14/01/1918 Struck off charge.                   

B5860 Built by Ausin Motors Co.,
Served with 1 Sqn, AFC.

RE8 B58603 SQUADRON AUSTRALIAN FLYING CORPS. THIS RE8 BEARS THE EARLY WHITE CIRCLE SQUADRON MARKING.
B5890 Built by Ausin Motors Co.,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
B6466 Built by Siddley-Deasy,

Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8, B6466, France, 1917 NLA Image
B6491 Built by Siddley-Deasy,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
B649? Built by Siddley-Deasy,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
B6511 Built by Siddley-Deasy,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
B6576 Built by Siddley-Deasy,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
B7834 (?) Built by No.1 (Southern) Aircraft Repair Depot, South Farnborough,


RE8 serial B7834(?) with SE5A aeroplane in background. AWM D00060.
B7917 Built by No.1 (Southern) Aircraft Repair Depot, South Farnborough,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
B8876 Built by No.3 (Western) Aircraft Repair Depot, Yale, Bristol,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
C2242 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
C2270 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
C2275 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
C2276 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
C2309 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.

RE8 SERIAL NUMBER C2309, AIRCRAFT "O" OF OF NO 3 SQUADRON AUSTRALIAN FLYING CORPS. THIS AIRCRAFT "RANBY" WAS PRESENTED BY LIEUTENANT COLONEL SIR A E BINGHAM, BART, VD.P00355
C2326 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
C2333 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
C2413 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
C2414 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
C2476 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 7 Sqn, AFC.
C2490 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
C2535 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
C2599 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
C2610 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
C2623 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 7 Sqn, AFC.
C2627 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 7 Sqn, AFC.
C2628 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 7 Sqn, AFC.
C2660 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 7 Sqn, AFC.
C2675 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 7 Sqn, AFC.
C2696 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
C2728 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
C2748 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
C2795 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.

RE8 C2795 OF NO. 3 SQUADRON AUSTRALIAN FLYING CORPS P00355  RE8B5860 OF NO. 3 SQUADRON AUSTRALIAN FLYING CORPS. THIS RE8 BEARS THE EARLY WHITE CIRCLE SQUADRON MARKING. P00355
C2800 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
C2904 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
C2913 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
C2920 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
C3013 Built by the Daimler Co. Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
C4581 Build by D.Napier & Sons Ltd., Acton,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
C4586 Build by D.Napier & Sons Ltd., Acton,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
C5043 Built by the Coventry Ordnance Works Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
C5079 Built by the Coventry Ordnance Works Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
D1512 Built by the Standard Motor Co., Coventry,
Served with 7 Sqn, AFC.
D1513 Built by the Standard Motor Co., Coventry,
Served with 7 Sqn, AFC.
D1527 Built by the Standard Motor Co., Coventry,
Served with 7 Sqn, AFC.
D1537 Built by the Standard Motor Co., Coventry,
Served with 7 Sqn, AFC.
D1559 Built by the Standard Motor Co., Coventry,
Served with 7 Sqn, AFC.
D1560 Built by the Standard Motor Co., Coventry,
Served with 7 Sqn, AFC.
D1585 Built by the Standard Motor Co., Coventry,
Served with 7 Sqn, AFC.
D4689 Built by the Standard Motor Co., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
D4814 Built by D.Napier & Sons Ltd., Acton,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
D4821 Built by D.Napier & Sons Ltd., Acton,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
D4822 Built by D.Napier & Sons Ltd., Acton,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
D4853 Built by D.Napier & Sons Ltd., Acton,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
D4855 Built by D.Napier & Sons Ltd., Acton,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
D4975 Built by No.3 (Western) Aircraft Repair Depot, Yale, Bristol,
Served with 7 Sqn, AFC.
D4977 Built by No.3 (Western) Aircraft Repair Depot, Yale, Bristol,
Served with 7 Sqn, AFC.
D6730 Built by the Coventry Ordnance Works Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
D6817 Built by the Coventry Ordnance Works Ltd., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
E110 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
E119 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
E120 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
E123 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
E124 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co., Coventry,
Served with 7 Sqn, AFC.
E125 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co., Coventry,
Served with 7 Sqn, AFC.
E126 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co., Coventry,
Served with 7 Sqn, AFC.
E127 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co., Coventry,
Served with 7 Sqn, AFC.
E128 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co., Coventry,
Served with 7 Sqn, AFC.
E224 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
E225 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
E234 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
E248 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
E278 Built by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co., Coventry,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
E1108 Built by D.Napier & Sons Ltd., Acton,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
F5881 Rebuilt aircraft ?,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
F5899 Rebuilt aircraft ?,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
F6016 Rebuilt aircraft ?,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.

R.E.8 Serial F6016,R.E.8 Serial F6016, aircraft K of No. 3 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps. The aircraft was used by No. 3 Squadron for reconnaissance work. Note the name 96;Marjorie' on the side of the aircraft. E04320
F6234? Rebuilt aircraft ?,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
This aircraft is listed in Squadron records as an RE8 but the serial was allocated to a Sopwith Camel - a type not operated by 3 Sqn.
The Serial batch F5801 to F6300 contains many anomalies, so it is quite possible that the unit did operate an RE8 bearing this serial.
F6360? Rebuilt aircraft ?,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
This aircraft is listed in Squadron records as an RE8 but the serial was allocated to a Sopwith Camel - a type not operated by 3 Sqn.
The Serial batch F5801 to F6300 contains many anomalies, so it is quite possible that the unit did operate an RE8 bearing this serial.
F6380? Rebuilt aircraft ?,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
This aircraft is listed in Squadron records as an RE8 but the serial was allocated to a Sopwith Camel - a type not operated by 3 Sqn.
The Serial batch F5801 to F6300 contains many anomalies, so it is quite possible that the unit did perate an RE8 bearing this serial.
H7023 Rebuilt aircraft,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
H7040 Rebuilt aircraft,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
H7042 Rebuilt aircraft,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
H7047 Rebuilt aircraft,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
H7265 Rebuilt aircraft,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.

R.E.8 H72653 Sq AFCPhoto Kas Grigonis
H7340 Rebuilt aircraft,
Served with 3 Sqn, AFC.
 
3 Sqn personnel with RE8Photo via Brendan Cowan  Captain Charles C Matheson (left) and Lieutenant C R Fenwicke, of No. 3 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps (AFC) beside their RE8 aircraft. Photo via Brendan Cowan  Loading incendiary bombs on a 3 Sqn R.E.8Photo via Brendan Cowan  LIEUTENANTS R.C. ARMSTRONG AND F.J. MART IN COCKPIT OF RE8 OF NO. 3 SQUADRON OF AUSTRALIAN FLYING CORPS  Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 biplane of 3 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, which killed pilot Captain Henry Haig Storrer and observer Lieutenant William Norman Eric Scott, Bailleul, France, December 1917 NLA Image
 

The Authors of this page are Brendan Cowan and Mark Lax.

Source: National Archives, Australian Military Aircraft 1909-1918, Keith Isaacs, AWM, Men & Machines of the Australian Flying Corps 1914-1919, Charles Schaedel, High Adventure, A.H.Cobby, British Military Aircraft Serials 1911-1979, Bruce Robertson, One Airman's War: Aircraft Mechanic Joe Bull's Personal Diaries 1916-1919, Banner Books, Maryborough, 1997, Mark Lax.

Emails: Mark Lax, Gordon Clarke

Updated 04 November 2020