I’ve started to do some research into the Bristol F2B Fighter, and although i’ve got a few books specifically relating to the Biff and the Squadrons that flew them, i’m yet to seriously get into them, for the moment have just looked at photos. One thing i’ve noticed is that ‘Beefed up’ Biffs (ie with twin Lewis’ for the Observer, extra Lewis over the upper wing etc) seems to be exclusive to 22 Squadron.
Has anyone seen any photos or written evidence etc of other Squadrons doing so? If not, why not? In the 22 Squadron book ‘Pi in the Sky’ it mentions that although twin Lewis’ was very desirable, at 8000 feet due to oxygen starvation, the Observer wasn’t able to track aircraft fast enough with ‘Huntley and Palmer’ (a nickname for twin Lewis’), and at 16000 feet it became impossible for the Observer to move them at all.
I’d also be interested in anyones thoughts on the subject
By: John Aeroclub - 6th September 2008 at 18:35
Yes it was, I was just about to reply to that effect.
John
By: Rlangham - 6th September 2008 at 18:31
Just had a quick glance at my bookshelf, and noticed the name of the author of ‘Pi in the Sky’ – WFJ Harvey! Is that the Harvey you were referring to? Removal of the twin Lewis’ would be interesting, as the Hendon Biff is based on this aircraft – accurate, except in this photo the Biff has twin Lewis’ (Lewii?)
IWM photo, and my photo of it was taken at the Shuttleworth Collection
By: Rlangham - 6th September 2008 at 17:48
Sorry about the late reply, just finished a nice stressful flat move! Thanks for the interesting post – have to admit I don’t recognise the name Harvey, was he a 22 Squadron chap? Interesting that the propeller rotates a different way, hadn’t noticed that before, and explains the arrows painted onto it.
By: John Aeroclub - 4th September 2008 at 17:49
I’ve started to do some research into the Bristol F2B Fighter, and although i’ve got a few books specifically relating to the Biff and the Squadrons that flew them, i’m yet to seriously get into them, for the moment have just looked at photos. One thing i’ve noticed is that ‘Beefed up’ Biffs (ie with twin Lewis’ for the Observer, extra Lewis over the upper wing etc) seems to be exclusive to 22 Squadron.
Has anyone seen any photos or written evidence etc of other Squadrons doing so? If not, why not? In the 22 Squadron book ‘Pi in the Sky’ it mentions that although twin Lewis’ was very desirable, at 8000 feet due to oxygen starvation, the Observer wasn’t able to track aircraft fast enough with ‘Huntley and Palmer’ (a nickname for twin Lewis’), and at 16000 feet it became impossible for the Observer to move them at all.
I’d also be interested in anyones thoughts on the subject
When I was doing the planning for a Brisfit kit I was loaned the notes for W/c Harveys book and some letters. In these letters Harvey said that the overwing Lewis fitted to his F2B was only carried for one or two flights and quickly removed as unsatisfactory. I possit that the twin guns were again purely experimental on Bristols and were tried out by the same chap with an experimental bent.
Harvey also mentioned that the wind driven generator as fitted to the RAF Museum example would only be fitted if the op was Army Co-op.
Have you noticed that the RAFM Bristol prop is one of the rarer opposite rotation ones. (Falcons could drive in either direction depending on Mk.)
John
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September 3, 2008 at 10:53 pm