Bristol F.2B Fighter in flight
The Bristol F.2A fighter had a disastrous start to military operations; 4 out of 6 were shot down on their very first engagement with the enemy - which happened to include the famous Red Baron von Richthofen's 'Flying Circus'.
April of 1917 is remembered as 'Bloody April' due to the high losses experienced by the Royal Flying Corps. However, by May 1917, the F.2B version of the Bristol Fighter was introduced, and the tables turned. The 'B' version was 10 mph faster and had a faster rate of climb than the 'A' model. 10 mph doesn't sound like much of an improvement, but given the top speed of 120 mph, the extra 10 mph made a significant difference.
The USA urgently required competitive fighter aircraft in 1917, and at the request of General John Pershing, no fewer than 2,000 Bristol F.2B Fighters were ordered to be produced by Curtiss in the US. However, due to a confusing series of technical issues, attempts at redesign, and political intrigues, none were ever delivered to the American Expeditionary Forces in France.
The Bristol F.2 Fighter remained in production in various guises for almost 20 years and served widely around the globe.
Bristol F.2B Fighter in flight
The Bristol F.2A fighter had a disastrous start to military operations; 4 out of 6 were shot down on their very first engagement with the enemy - which happened to include the famous Red Baron von Richthofen's 'Flying Circus'.
April of 1917 is remembered as 'Bloody April' due to the high losses experienced by the Royal Flying Corps. However, by May 1917, the F.2B version of the Bristol Fighter was introduced, and the tables turned. The 'B' version was 10 mph faster and had a faster rate of climb than the 'A' model. 10 mph doesn't sound like much of an improvement, but given the top speed of 120 mph, the extra 10 mph made a significant difference.
The USA urgently required competitive fighter aircraft in 1917, and at the request of General John Pershing, no fewer than 2,000 Bristol F.2B Fighters were ordered to be produced by Curtiss in the US. However, due to a confusing series of technical issues, attempts at redesign, and political intrigues, none were ever delivered to the American Expeditionary Forces in France.
The Bristol F.2 Fighter remained in production in various guises for almost 20 years and served widely around the globe.