HOME      Bristol F2B

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Click on the picture to hear the wav sound.

NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
 
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.
 

Specifications

        Primary Function:
        Crew:
        Engines:
        Power:
        Weight Empty:
        Max. Weight:
        Machine Guns:
        Length:  
        Wingspan:
        Cruise Speed:
        Max. Speed:
        Initial Climb: 
        Ceiling:
        Range:
        First Flight:  
        Year Deployed:
fighter/observer
two
RR Falcon III
275 hp
2,150 lbs.
3,250 lbs.
2- 7.7 mm
25' 10"
39' 3"
110 mph 
125 mph
900 fpm
18,000 feet
370 miles
9/9/16
1917
 
Radio Control Airplane

Flair Models Ltd. RC Airplane.
 
Radio Control Airplanes:
 
 
Pictured above is the Bristol F2B RC Airplane built from a Flair Models Ltd. kit.  The radio control airplane has a wing span of 76".  Recommended power for the RC Airplane can come from .60 to .80 two cycle or .70 to .90 four cycle engines. Upon completion the radio control airplane should weigh between 8 1/2 and 10 lbs. 
 
In the first picture below is the F2B RC Airplane from Macca's Vintage Aerodrome.  The wing span of the radio control airplane measures 94". Fuselage length of the RC Airplane is 62" overall. To power the radio control airplane you will need 10 to 15 cc two cycle or 15 to 20 cc four cycle engines.  All up weight of the RC Airplane is around 18 lbs.  
 
3 Sea Bees will be happy to sell your their F2B radio control airplane.  The RC Airplane has a wing span of 94" and a length of 63". Recommended power for the radio control airplane are .60 to .90 two cycle and .90 to 1.20 four cycle engines.  Upon completion the RC Airplane should weigh about 16 lbs.
 
Kit Cutters has plans, full or short kits for two Bristol F2B radio control airplanes.  One RC Airplane from Nexus Plans has a wing span of 72".
The other Kit Cutters radio control airplane is from Cleveland Model plans.  Kit Cutters sells plans, full or short kits of that RC Airplane with wing spans of 38 1/2", 58", 77" and 116".
 
The second and third pictures on this page are of Bristol F2B radio control airplanes from K&W Model Airplanes.  Their RC Airplane has a wing span of 94" and a length of 62 1/2".  K&W recommends .60 to .90 two stroke and .90 to 1.20 four stroke engines to power their radio control airplane. 
 
If you have built a Bristol F2B RC Airplane and would like to show it off, please send us pictures and a description.  If you would like to recommend a F2B radio control airplane ARF, kit or plan, don't hesitate to email us.
    
  
Radio Control Airplane
Macca's Vintage Aerodrome RC Airplane.
 
Radio Control Airplane

Bristol F2B RC Airplane.

Radio Control Airplane
  RC Airplane from K&W Model Airplanes.