Bristol F2b Aviation Art Print by Russell Smith ASAA
The Bristol Fighter was a
manoeuvrable, heavily armed two-seater biplane, and one of the most successful
fighters of the war. It got off to a poor start during "Bloody April"
when it was introduced to the Western Front by inexperienced pilots. Believing
that the aircraft was structurally weak, pilots
avoided violent manoeuvres during combat. It was soon realised however that the
Bristol fighter was actually a very sturdy aircraft and it could be manoeuvred
as if it were a single seat fighter with rear protection. Bristol crews met
with great success by using their aircraft in this way. By the end of the war
over 240 pilots and gunners achieved ace status in the type.
