Description 🔉

**Rare F.E.8 Biplane Propeller by Darracq Motor Engineering Ltd**

For sale is a rare four-bladed propeller by Darracq Motor Engineering Ltd, believed to be from a Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.8 fighter.

The F.E.8 was a single-seat biplane with a rear-mounted “pusher” propeller, allowing the pilot to fire forwards without shooting through the propeller arc. Only 295 were produced. The type saw frontline service from June 1916 to July 1917, before being withdrawn and trialled for home defence duties, for which it was not adopted.

This well-used example measures 244 cm and was repurposed as a coat rack after the war. The maker’s marking, Darracq Motor Engineering Ltd, remains clearly visible, although the engine name is no longer legible.

Darracq built the Airco D.H.5, Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.8 and Sopwith Dolphin under subcontract during the First World War. Of these, the F.E.8 used a four-bladed propeller, supporting the attribution of this example. Reference: Aviastar.org.

Darracq Motor Engineering Ltd was based in Fulham, London, and was a branch of Alexandre Darracq’s French automobile company.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who made the propeller?

The propeller was made by Darracq Motor Engineering Ltd, whose name is clearly marked on it. The company was based in Fulham, London, and undertook aircraft manufacturing work during the First World War.

Who was Darracq?

Alexandre Darracq was a French industrialist and an early pioneer of the motor industry. He co-founded the Gladiator Cycle Company in 1891 before turning to automobile manufacturing, establishing his Darracq business at Suresnes, near Paris, in 1896. His name became associated with an internationally successful car manufacturer.

Darracq Motor Engineering Ltd, based in Fulham, London, was the British branch of the French business. During the First World War, it undertook aircraft production under subcontract, building the Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.8, Airco D.H.5 and Sopwith Dolphin. The Darracq name therefore connects the early motor industry with the development of British military aviation.

Was the F.E.8 a fighter aircraft?

Yes. The Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.8 was a single-seat fighter used during the First World War. Its rear-mounted “pusher” propeller allowed the pilot to fire a forward-facing machine gun without shooting through the propeller arc.

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Legal Note

For antique firearms such as muskets and rifles, this item is offered strictly as a collectors’ piece. It is sold as a historic firearm for display or study purposes only, and not as a modern, live-firing weapon. Export, import, and ownership regulations vary by country; buyers are responsible for ensuring compliance with their local laws and confirming that they are not prohibited from ownership. In accordance with UK guidelines, the seller is required to verify the buyer’s identification and age prior to completion of the sale. By purchasing antique weapons, the buyer is also consenting that they are not on a prohibited person register.