I’ve been challenged in the comments and in my own head to come up with a possible aircraft list for next week’s Flying Circus Vol 2 announcement. There’s just a few days to go until we learn the full list from the developers but lets have a little fun and make some guesses. Here goes!
Thinking it through
I’ll break this down into categories with my best guesses being based on what we know so far about Flying Circus Vol 2 and what we already have from Vol 1. I’m also going to assume that the team will be doing what they did before and that was to rejuvenate aircraft built for Rise of Flight so no types will be mentioned here that were not already part of the Rise of Flight aircraft list. Let’s get started!
In the teaser logo from Vol 2, we can clearly see the outline of a Handley Page 0-400 bomber. First used in September of 1917, these bombers were used to attack railway stations, supply depots, factories and ports. In August of 1917, the Gotha G.V came into strength on the front and was used for similar purposes. It’s very likely that we’ll see these two aircraft in Vol 2.
Let’s assume that at least two more two seater aircraft are coming and here I have a difficult choice on the Entente side of picking the Breguet 14.B2, R.E.8 or the D.H.4. It’s a tough choice between the three but I’m going to go with the R.E.8 which was plagued by problems but by 1917 had become a popular two seat scout and reconnaissance aircraft. So, for the reasons of historical relevance, I’m going with the R.E.8. On the German side it’s a bit easier with the DFW C.V being an obvious choice and which saw initial service in late 1916 but more widespread use in 1917.
Next, we can spot the outline of the Fokker D.VIII. This was another type introduced in August of 1917 and is an interesting type that seems to have been overshadowed by other types but should prove interesting. To match that I submit the Nieuport 28 which saw service mostly with the U.S. Air Service.
We can also spot what appears to be the silhouette of a SPAD VIII with the wider flanges of its exhaust ports versus the later SPAD XIII. This popular type was initially equipped with a 150hp Hispano-Suiza engine but was later upgraded in 1917 with a 180hp engine. These saw use to the end of the war. Let’s pair it with the Albatross D.III, another widely used type that also saw service to the end of the war and helped German aviation secure numerical superiority through 1917. The Mercedes D. IIIa engine upgrade helped keep it relevant.
Two more aircraft to go so let’s help fill out the ranks with aircraft starting with the Pfalz D.XII. This aircraft came on steam in 1918 and was firmly a late war type. It’s tough to find something else to match this with on the Allied side and I’m faced with so many choices. The Sopwith Triplane is a good option but so is the Hanriot HD.I. I’m ultimately forced to go with the Sopwith Triplane as its summer 1917 usage makes it the most relevant to the likely scenario.
My best guess
- Handley Page 0-400
- Gotha G.V
- R.E.8
- DFW C.V
- Nieuport 28
- Fokker D.VIII
- SPAD VIII
- Albatross D.III
- Pfalz D.XII
- Sopwith Triplane
What will we see come next week?
The fun part about speculation is making a guess with the available information and evidence and then seeing if you’re right or wrong or just how wrong you ended up being. Am I right on the mark here or did I miss out? I’ve seen similar lists all across the community but I’d love to know your guesses in the comments!
Stormbirds 
The Nieuport 28 would be a good one to have, since that would complete the US Expeditionary air forces.
I wonder if that would also indicate what map region we would likely get, and how that might feed back into the likely plane set?
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If they are expanding out the US Army Air service, that might also lead to them doing the DH.4 now, instead of an R.E.8, as it looks like the Army Air service was a heavy user of the type, as well.
I kind of hope they do, actually. I’m not hugely fond of the Spad or the N28, but have had a blast in the Brisfit, and it seems like it would be pretty fun to do a US Army Air Service campaign in the DH.4
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I have a soft spot for the N28, I think it’s mostly to do with the asymmetrical guns…
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Seeing any Nieuport would be lovely !
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I think your proposed list is very considered and I think you will be found to be mostly right at the end of the week. However, I would just like to say that I loved the Breguet and would love to see it -the French surely need their own two seater? But yes, the RE8 or DH4 probably have greater claims to a one of the limited spots.
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Thanks Ziggy! I am hoping to see at least a few more French types in there but it was a tough call on just what to include and the R.E.8 made the most sense to me. It could go all kinds of ways by next week – we’ll see!
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It is exciting news. I’m keen on seeing the Pfalz D.XII and R.E.8 but hope the Sopwith Snipe gets included. The Gotha and Handley Page will be good to see of course.
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Great list Shamrock.
Essentially the same as my 10 plane prediction except for the RE8! I went for the DH4. The RE8 performance is so awful that it’ll struggle against anything in the Central planeset, but it certainly is an important and iconic aircraft and I’d be fine with it too.
I also put forward a 12 plane list because there’s a great opportunity for the HP and Gotha to be premium additions.
In which case I’ve added the Alb D2 and Nieuport 17. This then gives potential career possibilities from early 1917 till end of war.
Note, these are predictions, not preferences. I can’t see the need for the D8, it was introduced in Aug 18, quickly withdrawn with wing issues and finally made it back in Oct 18. Barely 85 reached the front. Hardly a critical aircraft! Far, far better to develop a Mercedes DIIIau engined Alb DVa or Fokker D7.
But if we get started on engines then a proper 220hp HispanoSuiza HS8BeC for the 1918 Spads becomes a thing 🙂
Great work as usual. See you in the skies.
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Dude totally stole my list!
I predict DH4 over RE-8 and a Rumpler would be cooler than a DFW but I concur with you. D.VIII is a minority 1918 aircraft; match against a Snipe?
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Great minds! 🙂 We both logically broke down what we know right now and came up with some converging ideas.
Now we just wait and see what we get for next week!
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So boring! How about a DH-5 😂
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DH-4, DH-4! Tolds ‘em! Buggrit! Millenium hand and shrimp!
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Great guess! It was a logical option.
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Re-8 would be more historical but less popular so that the -4 makes sense.
OTOH, both sides need a 2-seater to chase and the -4 is a lot more dangerous vs. the late Fokkkers, so it plays out.
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