Page 1 | 2 | 3 |4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
Feature Article by Geoff Coughlin
References…
“Bristol Fighter F.2b In Detail” by Petr Dousek, Frantisek Koran, Michal Ovcacik, Andrew Simpson, Martin Valek – Really impressive reference that has all you need, plus, of course the excellent WW instruction book.
SMN Photo Reference Library…
Don’t forget to check out your SMN Photo Reference Library where you’ll find a major walkaround photo set for the Bristol Fighter F.2b
Want some inspiration?
Check this out:
Materials included in kit:
- Injection moulded grey and clear styrene
- Waterslide decals
- Etched brass details
- Full colour instruction manual
Paints used:
Tamiya acrylics:
- X-18 Semi-Gloss Black aircraft metal parts
- XF-16 Aluminium engine parts
- X-19 Smoke weathering for engine
- XF-55 Clear doped linen undersides
- XF-53 Battleship Grey engine cowls
- XF-62/XF-10 Green/Brown camouflage
Revell enamel:
- Matt 85 orange/brown base for wood effect
Gunze acrylic:
- Semi-Flat varnish overall
Materials used:
Rowney pastel chalks; Microscale Set and Sol decal wetting solutions; 5-Star Cyanoacrylate (thick), Sylmasta accelerator EMA Liquid Plastic Weld, Micro Kristal Klear (clear parts), Rowney oil paint (wash).
Background…
Initially conceived in early 1916 as the Bristol R.2a reconnaissance aircraft to replace the RFC’s ageing BE2 series, Frank Barnwell’s design evolved into the Bristol Fighter in July 1916 following the incorporation of the brand new Rolls Royce 190hp Falcon engine. An order was placed for 50 aircraft and the first production Bristol F.2a Fighter (A3303) made the types maiden flight on 9 September 1916.
Deliveries of the new aircraft went to 48 Squadron RFC, beginning in December 1916 and continued through to March 1917 during which time the squadron flew their 18 new Bristol F.2a Fighters in France. Their operational debut on 5 April 1917 was somewhat less than successful. Many believed the type to be structurally unsound and hence flew the type rather sedately and as a result lost several aircraft on reconnaissance duties. It was soon realised that the type was in fact far sturdier that at first thought and could in fact be flown much like any other single-engined fighter. Great success was achieved with over 240 pilots achieving ‘Ace’ status in the type before the end of the Great War. Further refinements continued, of which the most obvious was angling down the front longerons to improve pilot visibility, resulting in the F.2b appearing in April 1917.
Several different engine types, including the 150-200hp Hispano Suiza and Sunbeam’s 200hp Arab, were fitted to the ‘Biff’ (as it became known) but by far the most common and successful were the 190-275hp V12 Rolls Royce ‘Falcon’. The Bristol Fighter continued to serve with many air forces worldwide after the war.