BRISTOL F.2B FIGHTER

In late 1915, the RFC (Royal Flying Corp) were actively looking for a more powerful and higher ceiling capable, aerial reconnaissance and artillery spotter plane to replace their ageing pre-war Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2c’s.

Unlike the BE 2c’s, the new aircraft needed to be able to defend itself in aerial combat.

It was a big ask and a number of designs and prototypes were put forward. These all featured a fuselage mounted between the wings to improve the view of the gunner/observer and the pilot - all based upon the installation of an unreliable 1650 Hispano-Suiza engine. Fortunael,y just before the design was to transition into production, the new and far more powerful190 HP Rolls Royce Falcon inline engine, became available and a third and final prototype was developed.

The introduction of the powerful Rolls Royce engine suddenly expanded the Bristol F.2B's original brief as a pre reconnaissance aircraft, to now a hybrid reconnaissance/fighter attack aircraft.

After making its first flight in July 1916, it was discovered that the initial 'box'like' front engine cowling, obscured the pilot's view so a revise circular cowl was added. Further modifications were made to both wing structures, tail and propellers before it went into an official production with an initial order of 52 aircraft before disaster struck, with the Rolls Royce engines becoming in very short supply and no longer available.

The lack of access to fighter quality engines continued to frustrate future production runs of the Bristol FB2 and a frantic search for an alternative power plant was undertaken by the Bristol factory.

A number of different engines were trailed with varying success but all fell far short of the revered Rolls Royce engines initially promised.

Even with these failings, the first frontline deliveries of the reconnaissance fighter began just prior to Christmas 1916 with RFC 48 Sqn. at Rendcomb. A few months later, 48 Sqn. were transferred to France in preparation for action on the Western Front.

The first patrol saw six F2A crossing the lines in support of the British offensive at Arras led by their Commander William Leefe Robinson VC. They were immediately met by five Albatros D.IIIs  from Jasta 11 led by Manfred von Richthofen which succeeded in shooting down four of the F2A’s - one of them flown by Robinson who was captured.
The remaining aircraft retuned to British lines badly damaged.

April 1917 became known as ‘Bloody April’ with casualties across all RFC squadrons and aircraft with the Bristol F2b proving no exception.

The two seater Bristol F.2B was far less manoeuvrable than the single
seater German fighters and lacked the climb and turning speed for effective dogfighting. For the British Bristol crews, who were more familiar with maintaining formation and using the cross fire of their observer gunners to counter an enemy attack, the German tactics were a complete surprise.

As the war continued the Bristol did eventually prove its worth as a suitable and effective replacement for the BE.2cs, with one Canadian pilot, Andrew McKeever accumulating 30 air victories, and his observations gunner L. F Powell achieving 8.

By the end of the war, the RFC had over 1580 F.2Bs in operational service across Europe, the Mediterranean and on the home front.
It continued on in service until the early 1930s.

All Bristol F.2B Instruments listed below come complete with a detailed, custom-built Scale Model of the Bristol F.2B Aircraft on its Magnetic Display Arm; Mango Wood Display Stand & Plaque, plus Printed Fact Sheet featuring photo of instrument in aircraft cockpit - as shown in this Ryan Sports-Trainer example opposite: 

Return to VINTAGE ORIGINAL AIRCRAFT INSTRUMENTS

Top colour banner image of Bristol F.2B at Shuttleworth Airshow May 2009 pic: Alan Wilson from Stilton, Petersborough, Cambs, UK.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bristol_F2b_Fighter_%E2%80%98D8096_D%E2%80%99_(G-AEPH)_(30273241577).jpg CC BY-SA 2.0 CC BY-SA 2.0
Banking F.2B aircraft at Shuttleworth Airshow pic: Tim Felce (Airwolfhound) - Bristol F2b - Shuttleworth May 2009, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27816311

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  WWI BRISTOL F.2B RFC ORIGINAL 1ST PATTERN LEATHER FLYING HELMET AND TRIPLEX TWIN LENS PADDED FLYING GOGGLES

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