The British Bristol F2B fighter was manned by a pilot and a gunner/observer. The pilot could engage enemy aircraft by firing a fixed machine gun that was synchronized through the propeller arc. The gunner/observer had a pivoting machine gun mounted mid-ship that could be used to protect the rear of the aircraft.
When the F2B was initially deployed, pilots did not use the forward firing gun to its full potential. They engaged enemy aircraft by bringing the mid-ship machine gun to bear, losing their surprise and maneuvering advantages. A number of aircraft were lost in such engagements, until pilots starting using the forward firing machine gun to their advantage. It was then that the maneuverability, speed, diving abilities, and overall ruggedness of the F2B fighter overcame the German Fokker D.VII threat.
The Bristol F2B went on to become the primary fighter aircraft of the newly formed British Royal Air Force on April 1, 1918.
After the war the aircraft remained in production. The last Bristol F2B was delivered to the Royal Air Force in of December 1926.
Many air forces around the world operated the Bristol F2B aircraft. The F2B continued in use through 1941 as a troop support, ground attack aircraft and as a training aircraft.
A total of 5,329 Bristol F2B aircraft were produced. Three restored F2B aircraft continue to fly to date.