Armstrong Whitworth’s designer was a Dutchman, Fred Koolhoven.  The FK8 was an improved FK3 introduced in late 1916 at the same time as the Royal Aircraft Factory’s RE8 and in the same reconnaissance role.  It was a much better aircraft than the RE8 and had the reputation of being difficult to shoot down.  It had one forward firing gun and two mounted with the Observer on a Scarff ring in the rear.

One of the most astonishing VC’s of the war was won by 2Lt McLeod in a FK8.  On a singleton recce mission he was attacked by eight German fighters.  McLeod and his observer shot down four of them and the others left the battle.  Both officers were each wounded six times during the fight.  The engine began to burn and still the officers fought their aircraft.  The pilots floor burned through and fell away and McLeod stepped onto the wing to control the aircraft from there, leaning into the cockpit and side-slipping the aircraft to keep the flames from burning the observer who was still returning fire.  Having crash landed in no-man’s land McLeod then dragged his unconscious Observer clear.  Quite astonishing!

This prop is in lightly restored condition.  We previously offered it un-restored.  It is made by Trevor Page & Co and is a flown example.