The Bristol F2b was an enigmatic aeroplane to say the least.It was designed by Capt.Frank Barnwell to replace the vulnerable Be2c's,Harry Tates,and all the other "Fokker Fodder"
It looked like an "observation" plane,and although the pilot was given a fixed,forward firing Vickers,it was considered that it,s main armament was the rear mounted Lewis Gun.
And so it went into battle. It was flown,as all two seaters up to then were flown.
To say that it suffered was an understatement. The Jastas knew all the weaknesses of two-seaters,and it received a thorough mauling from the Spandaus of the German scouts,and even though it was noted that it had a surprising turn of speed,from the German viewpoint,it was written off as "easy meat".
But the lessons of aerial warfare are hard-learned and very quickly the pilots of the Brisfit,as it came to be known,found that they had a machine that could climb,dive,zoom and roll with equal agility to the German fighters.It had a powerful Rolls Royce engine upfront that did not miss a beat,and it's wings did not fall off.
Suddenly the tactics were reversed,and the hunted became the hunter.Many a hapless German fighter pilot suddenly found that a Brisfit was sitting on his tai,pumping lead at him,with the certain knowledge that as it swept by,he would receive a full broadside from the rear gunner.

The power of the Rolls Royce Falcon engine was steadily upgraded,battle tactics were improved,many pilots and rear gunners developed an uncanny perception of each others movements,suddenly,the RFC had a formidable weapon indeed on their hands.

"It is little wonder that it became commonplace for the Jastas to steer clear of the Brisfit formations,nobody wanting their wife to be suddenly receiving a widows pension"

The Bristol F2b depicted here is owned by The Shuttleworth Trust and is in perfect flying condition. On their open days it is wheeled out and takes to the air. If there is any enthusiast who has never visited Old Warden Aerodrome,in Bedfordshire,England,the home of The Shuttleworth Trust,then,at least,visit their website, www.shuttleworth.org to gain some idea of one of the worlds best aircraft museums.
I disclaim anything by anybody over the use of this aircraft.
This aircraft is produced by Frank Elton,a member of Pegasus Aviation Design,and any comments would be welcome at felton@online.no