Intended as a cannon armed ground-attack aircraft, it was unsuccessful, only two being built.
Shortly after the outbreak of the First World War, the Royal Aircraft Factory began development of the F.E.4, a twin engined aircraft intended for ground attack to be armed with a COW autocannon.
The lower wing was attached to the fuselage halfway up, so the aircraft sat close to the ground.
In addition to the conventional landing gear there was a set of wheels mounted to the nose of the fuselage, to prevent damage if it tipped forward.
The tailplane was large, with a central fin and two additional vertical surfaces for rudders.