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Roden 425 Bristol F.2B Fighter 1:48 |
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he F2B quickly became popular among its pilots who nicknamed this plane 'Brisfit'. The quantity of new machines was growing rapidly - soon these planes were delivered not only to Front Line units, but also to Home Defence.
However, numerous problems with the engine seriously held back attempts to increase production of the type. (But soon, Rolls-Royce had problems to produce enough engines for the Fighter). The Bristol Company was forced to look for a substitute for the Falcon. Attempts to fit Hispano Suiza, Siddeley Puma and Sunbeam Arab engines all failed (only the last one of them was built as a series modification). For this reason most F2B Fighters had a Rolls-Royce Falcon engine.
Apart from on the Western Front, the Bristol Fighter was widely used in other theaters of war; in Italy and Palestine. Aircraft serving with Home Defence managed to shoot down at least two German Gotha G.V strategic bombers.
Bristol F.2B Fighter D8061, No.48 Sqn RAF, Western Front, Mericourt, Lt FN Griffiths, observer/gunner AE Ansell, July 1918.
Bristol F.2B Fighter A7288/7, No.11 Sqn RFC, Western Front, Lt Andrew Edward McKeever, observer/gunner Lt L F Powell, November 1917.
Bristol F.2B Fighter C851, No.141 (HD) Sqn, Lt E E Turner, observer/gunner H B Barwise, May 1918; on the night 19/20 May shot down Gotha G.V 979/16 of Bogohl 3.
Bristol F.2B Fighter A7198, No. 1 Sqn Australian Flying Corps, captain R Williams, 1918.
Bristol F.2B Fighter A7192, No. 1 Sqn Australian Flying Corps, Palestine, 1918.
Bristol F.2B Fighter D8063/D, No.139 Sqn RAF, Italian Front, Villaverla, Maj W G Barker, observer/gunner HRH Prince Edward of Wales, summer 1918. |
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