WOW547 Bristol F.2 ‘Headlam & Beaton’

Description

The Bristol Aeroplane Company F.2 Fighter was a two-seat biplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraft and it was without doubt one of the most important and successful British designs to serve during the First World War.

In 1915, the Royal Flying Corps had identified a need to replace their Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c’s with an emphasis on self-defence capabilities.

Designed by a team led by Frank Barnwell (who had experience as a frontline RFC pilot), the prototype Bristol Type 12 F.2A (C3303) was first flown on 9th September 1916 at Filton, fitted with a newly available 190 hp Rolls-Royce Falcon I inline engine. The Bristol Aeroplane Company had already received an order for 50 aircraft by the time the second prototype flew on 25th October 1916, this time fitted with a Hispano-Suiza power unit.

The type was a twin-bay biplane, with the fuselage suspended mid-way between the wings in a similar manner to the earlier Gordon England biplanes. The pilot sat forward of the observer / gunner who was equipped with a Scarff-ring mounted machine gun in the rear cockpit. A forward-firing Vickers gun was mounted on the fuselage centreline.

The type was ordered into service with 2 prototypes and 50 production Bristol F.2A, all built before construction was switched to the Bristol Type 14 F.2B when the aircraft became the definitive Bristol Fighter.
Despite a disastrous start to its career, the definitive F.2B version proved to be a manoeuvrable aircraft and pilots soon realised that the Bristol Fighter was a strong and agile aircraft, capable of manoeuvring with single-seat fighters, despite some rumours that the type lacked the structural strength to be flown as a fighter. While its fixed forward-firing machine gun could be used as the primary weapon, the observer could use his flexible, rear-mounted gun to provide protection from attacks from the rear. Flown in this manner, the Bristol Fighter achieved a ‘remarkable’ level of success and proved to be a formidable opponent for German fighters.

These particular models are from our specialist factory that make exquisite highly detailed WW1 models, they are not cheap but those of you have bought their models before will appreciate the amount of labour that goes into making these aircraft.

The figures and accessories are shown for scale comparison purposes only and are not included.