Hi
Further to the above, ‘The Air Defence of Britain 1914-1918’ by Cole and Cheesman, has for the night of 18/19 December 1917 (p.358):
“No. 78 Squadron, Biggin Hill: BE2e A3146 (2nd Lieut W. Hunt), W/T tracker, 18.50-21.15 hr; BE12s A6305 (2nd Lieut A. M. Bennett) 18.55-21.45 hr; A595 (2nd Lieut A. J. Winstanley) 21.00-2209 hr.”
For the night 39/30 January, 1918 it has (p.392):
“No. 78 Squadron, Biggin Hill: BE12s C3195 (2nd Lieut A. M. Bennett) 21.46-23.20 hr; C3210 (Lieut A. F. Barker) 23.02-01.12 hr; A6308 (Lieut E. J. Stockman) 23.12-01.16 hr; BE12a A595 (2nd Lieut E. E. Turner) 21.58-00.04 hr; BE12b C3152 (Capt F. Billinge) 21.05-23.10 hr.”
For the night 16/17 February 1918 (p.398) it has:
“No. 141 Squadron, Biggin Hill: BE12s C3195 (Lieut J. S. Castle) 21.55-00.25 hr; A6308 (Lieut E. J. Stockman) 21.57-22.30 hr, returned with engine trouble; C3210 (Lieut E. E. Turner), W/T tracker, 22.32-22.57, returned with W/T trouble, 23.00-23.25 hr, returned with W/T trouble and 23.35-00.15 hr; A6305 (Lieut E. J. Stockman) 23.05-00.30 hr.”
These examples should give you the idea of what the likely aircraft were in use at Biggin Hill prior to the Bristol Fighter.
Mike