The Bristol F.2B Fighter:
Historical Notes:
The F.2b two-seat fighter was the brainchild of Capt. F. Barnwell, who wanted to design a truly useful two-seater. His initial project was based on an engine incapable of fulfilling such a demand, and it wasn't until the Rolls-Royce V-12 Falcon became available, that the "Brisfit" would become a reality. The first design models were designated F.2a (or F.2A, depending on the source), and were flight tested through the latter half of 1916. By the spring of 1917, the first F.2a unit went to France. No. 48 squadron conducted its first patrol on April 5, and it was a disaster. The problem lay not with the aircraft, but with the tactics used. The pilots attempted to stay in formation and use the rear guns defensively to drive off attackers. The patrol was attacked by none other than Manfred von Richthofen and Albatros D.IIIs of Jasta 11. The experienced German pilots made short work of the British plane, downing four. Yet Richthofen noted in his combat report that this new plane "appears to be quick and rather handy, with a powerful motor...." Despite this inauspicious beginning, the "Brisfit" legend was about to be forged. After some modifications to the fuselage, the plane's new designation became F.2b.... the one most familiar to WW I aviation enthusiasts. Other pilots began to experiment with the new plane. Noting its fine handling characteristics and power, Lt. A.E. McKeever (No. 11 Squadron) took the F.2b on the offensive. It was an instant success. By using the plane offensively, with the rear gunner to protect from attack as well as aiding in the offense, the F.2b immediately showed itself to be a dangerous opponent. Until they knew better, many German pilots thought they could take on the Brisfit like any other two-seater. If they were fortunate, they only had their pride injured. McKeever, the leading proponent of the F.2b and its tactics, scored most of his 30 victories while flying one. The Brisfit was heavy, and therefore could not climb with the German scouts. But it had a good rate of turn which could beat the Albatros machines along with a strong airframe. It could handle the strain of power dives, and could perform aerobatic maneuvers just like single-seaters. The flight endurance of the Brisfit was first class, and often they were used as escorts for bombers. An F.2b from No. 48 squadron even twice carried King Albert of Belgium as an observer so he could see the battlefield for himself. On several occasions, Brisfit pilots even got the better of Germans flying the Fokker D.VII, due to its excellent snap turn rate.
On May 7, 1918, a unique incident occurred which has gone down in aviation annals as the "two against twenty." Two Bristol Fighter pilots of No. 22 Squadron, A.C. Atkey, with gunner C.G. Gass, and J.E. Gurdon, with gunner A.J.H. Thornton, conducted an observation patrol in the late afternoon just northeast of Arras. At 6:45 pm they engaged a group of unfamiliar German "D" type scouts, reported by Atkey as "probably a new type of FOKKER Biplane." Information is sketchy here at best, but these were probably a group of newly delivered Fokker D.VII machines, with the Mercedes engine, belonging to Jasta 6. In the initial dive, both Atkey and Gurdon claimed an enemy machine downed, while Gurdon's gunner got one during the climb out of the attack. During the running battle, two other German formations joined in, numbering about twenty aircraft. Four were actually seen to crash, with Atkey and his gunner claiming 3, while Gurdon claimed 1. They eventually broke off the action when the rear gunners exhausted their ammunition. However exciting this incident may be, there is serious doubts some aspects of it. First, the RFC War Diary immediately inflated Atkey's report, indicating that they claimed eight enemy aircraft (Atkey claimed only four total, although the summary indicated 4 down "in flames" and 4 "crashed," the latter clearly indicating probable kills. As Atkey himself noted, "Only four were actually seen to crash...."). Second, there is absolute silence in German records on this incident. The Nachrichtenblatten, Wochenbericht, and Tagenbefahl (German weekly and daily reports) do not mention the incident, nor do the records of any of the Jastas in the area. Painstakingly compiled claims and loss records of the Jastas of JG 1 (the "Richthofen Flying Circus"), along with other units on the western front, simply do not support the RFC claims, leaving this incident one of the interesting mysteries of war. However, if the incident did occur, it is a testament of the fighting capabilities of the Bristol Fighter. Indeed, it may very well be possible that the German Air Service covered up the incident since it was a poor debute for their newest fighter.
The F.2b was one of the classic fighters of WW I, and is arguably the greatest combat machine of the air war. It's main disadvantages were in its weak forward armament and the fact that its water-cooled engine took longer to warm up before it could take off , thereby limiting its use in night intercept actions against German bombers. Yet, it was a solid, reliable design which stayed in production until 1926..... with the design concept staying with the British until the mid 1930s. A total of 3,101 were produced by war's end.
Basic performance statistics: Bristol F.2b (trial report M.186)
Engine: Sunbeam Arab 200 hp; others had Falcon IIs and IIIs (at 200hp and 275hp), or Wolseley Vipers
Weight: empty 1,886 lbs; loaded 2,804
Maximum speed: 104 mph at 10,000 feet
Climb rate: to 10,000 feet.... 14 min, 25 sec.
Service ceiling: 19,000 feet
Flight endurance: 3 hours
Basic Specifications (vary widely from model to model):
Manufacturer:
British & Colonial Aeroplane Co., Filton and Brislington, Bristol (and many subcontractors)
Dimensions: Span 39 ft, 3 in; Length 24 ft, 10 in; Height: 9 ft, 5 in; Stagger: 18.1 in;
Dihedral: 3.5 deg.; Incidence: 1.75 deg.; Span of tail: 12 ft, 10 in.
Areas: Wings 405.6 sq ft; Rudder 7.2 sq ft
Fuel: two tanks.... main: 26.5 gallons; Rear: 18; oil: 4.5 gallons
Armament: single Vickers machineguns synchronized to fire through the airscrew; one or two Lewis guns on a Scarff ring mount for the rear gunner; up to twelve 20 lb fragmentation bombs.
Typical ammo load: 400 rounds for Vickers gun; 4 to 8 drums (97 rounds each) for the Lewis guns (total of 388-776 rounds, depending on gun configuration).
Primary sources: "Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War I, 1919 (1990 reprint); "British Aeroplanes, 1914-1918," J.M. Bruce; "German Aircraft of the First World War," Gray and Thetford; "Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War" Lamberton et al; "Aircraft Camouflage and Markings 1907-1954," Robertson et al; "Military Small Arms of the 20th Century," Hogg and Weeks.
Fighting and winning in the Bristol F2b:
How can this be said in a nice way? The Bristol F.2b is a unique aircraft, who's most important capabilities are impossible to model in the current version of CFS. This is because there is currently no means to have the rear gun auto-fire by computer control while flying it (like it does when you fly such as an opponent in quick combat). This is irritating, to be mild. The damage profile does include a separate array of twin Lewis guns pointed straight back at a 5 deg. up angle. They are also set on a separate trigger, and can be aimed by looking back and side- slipping the plane to put the guns on target...... right. Easier said than done. Flight testing demonstrated such to be of limited value. Only at point blank range could the rear guns be placed on target. One way to simulate this effect was to increase the "damage dice" of the front gun to 10 (from 8). This gives the Bristol pilot an incentive to use the plane offensively. Its handling is good, with a good snap turn and steady rate. In practice drills with the Fokker D.VII it could hold its own, although it would be at a disadvantage with planes like the Fokker Triplane. British players will often use in on-line multiplay as a light bomber or recon plane, but it is still capable of offensive action. The Brisfit is good, but not that good, to be used as a fighter without the rear gun really functional, and this is unfortunate.Now for the good news. The Brisfit can still be effective. If flown on the Zone, the rear gun CAN actually hit an enemy closing in from behind.... usually totally by chance, but still do it. If you fly the Brisfit on line, be ready to be accused of cheating when the others see those bullets shooting back at them!! When they do, nicely explain to them what you are flying, and that it has rear guns. If they still don't understand.... just point them to our website.
So what do you do with the Brisfit, since the rear gun is barely functional? The F.2b has the maneuverability better than the Albatros DV and similar to the Spad 13. It CAN dogfight effectively, especially in team games, but the single forward gun will be a liability. Because it's strong, the F.2b can serve as a "bait" aircraft (it can take a beating and still fly well), while the more nimble take out your opponents. And yet, it's not totally bait, since it can maneuver well and packs a bit of a punch. Because of its weight it is an exceptional diver, and can be effective in attacks like this. Although not very fast, it's diving ability can help it to escape. It remains stable at speeds up to 270 mph before it begins a strong vertical shaking.
The Britsol Fighter has some unique advantages, and the turning ability to dogfight with most WW I aircraft encountered.
