did not end well. The patrol was
deliberately timed to coincide
with the British offensive at Arras,
crossed the front lines on 5 April- This excursion of six aircraft
from No. 48 Squadron RFC, led by
Victoria Cross recipient William
Leefe Robinson (of shooting-down-
the-first -German-airship-over-
London fame), ran into five Albatros
D.IIIs from Jasta 11 led by Manfred
von Richthofen. Four out of the six
F.2As were shot down – including
that of Robinson, who was captured
- and a fifth was badly damaged.
An inauspicious beginning.
Other early experiences with the
F.2A Fighter contributed to doubts
over its effectiveness. The month
in which the type was introduced
to offensive operation became
known as Bloody April. Casualties
were high throughout the RFC,
and initially, the Bristol fighter
proved to be no exception. During
this period in aviation history,
contemporary two-seater aircraft
were far less nimble than fighter
aircraft, and many types lacked
the structural strength to carry
out the aggressive manoeuvres
needed for dogfighting. The first
“Brisfit” aircrews were accustomed
to the standard doctrine of
maintaining formation and using
the crossfire of the observers’ guns
to counter enemy fighter aircraft.
Despite some rumours that the
type lacked the necessary structural
strength to be flown as a fighter,
pilots soon realised that the Bristol
Fighter was a strong and agile
aircraft, capable of manoeuvring
with single-seat fighters. While
its fixed forward-firing machine
gun could be used as the primary
weapon, the observer could also
use his flexible, rear-mounted gun
to provide protection from attacks
from the rear. Flown in this manner,
the Bristol Fighter achieved a
remarkable level of success,
and proved to be a formidable
opponent for German fighters.
From May 1917 onwards, the
definitive F.2B Fighter quickly
replaced the earlier F.2A model. In
July 1917, the War Office decided
to adopt the F.2B Fighter as
the equipment for all fighter-
reconnaissance squadrons,
leading to a significant increase
in production. However, despite
the issuance of contracts for
further large batches of aircraft,
it was apparent that the rate of
production could not keep up
with demand for the type.
Perhaps one of the best-
known flying aces to use the type
was Canadian Andrew Edward
McKeever, and his regular observer
L.F. Powell. By the end of 1917,
McKeever accumulated 30 enemy
aircraft kills, while Powell achieved
eight. McKeever later became a
flying instructor, stationed in
England, before becoming the
commanding officer of No. 1
Squadron of the newly formed
Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
He continued to use the Fighter
as his personal aircraft, whichwas later transferred to Canada.
Following the end of the
First World War, the F.2B Fighter
was soon adopted by the RAF as
its standard army cooperation
machine. The type continued to
operate in army cooperation and
light bombing roles throughout
the British Empire, in particular
the Middle East, India, and China.
In line with this role, which led to
its use under high-temperature
conditions, Bristol introduced
models of the Fighter equipped
with “tropical” radiators and
other furnishings for desert
equipment that could better handle
operations in higher temperatures.BUILDING
As I had found my recent builds
stalling a little (sometimes I
seem to hit a modelling version of
writer’s block), I wanted a kit that
I felt really enthusiastic about,
and the recent Wingnut Wings
Postwar Brisfit fitted the bill. I
also have a habit of rushing kits
to get to the next one, but I was
determined to take my time on
this one and enjoy the journey.
It had certainly got me fired
up and, although I didn’t receive
the kit for a few weeks (slight
distribution issue apparently), I
(almost) enjoyed the anticipation
and used the time constructively,
for research and for ordering the“WITH PATIENCE, YOU WILL BE
REWARDED WITH A HUGELY SATISFYING
BUILD AND A BEAUTIFUL END PRODUCT”
WWW.SAMPUBLICATIONS.COM • JANUARY 2018 • 31
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