40 Squadron Royal Flying Corps was formed on 26 February 1916 at Gosport, equipped with a mixture of training types. In July that year it received its intended operational mount, the Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.8, a single-seat pusher configuration fighter, being the first squadron equipped with the F.E.8. The squadron moved to France in August that year, but while the F.E.8 had good handling characteristics, it was found to be obsolescent.
40 Squadron Royal Flying Corps was formed on 26 February 1916 at Gosport, equipped with a mix of training aircraft. In July that year it received its intended operational fighter, the Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.8, a single-seat pusher configuration fighter, being the first squadron to be equipped with the F.E.8. The squadron moved to France in August that year, but while the F.E.8 had good handling characteristics, it was found to be outdated.