The Bristol Aeroplane Company F.2 Fighter, a two-seat biplane, was a highly successful British design during the First World War, serving as both a fighter and reconnaissance aircraft.
In 1915, the Royal Flying Corps recognized the need for a replacement for their Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c aircraft, focusing on self-defence capabilities. Designed by Frank Barnwell and his team, the prototype Bristol Type 12 F.2A (A3303) first flew on 9th September 1916 at Filton. It was powered by a 190 hp Rolls-Royce Falcon I inline engine. By the time the second prototype flew on 25th October 1916, this time fitted with a Hispano-Suiza engine, Bristol had already received an order for 50 aircraft.
The F.2A was a twin-bay biplane, with the fuselage positioned between the wings. The pilot sat in the front, while the rear observer/gunner operated a Scarff-ring mounted machine gun. A forward-firing Vickers gun was mounted on the fuselage. The aircraft's production began with two prototypes and 50 production Bristol F.2A models before transitioning to the Bristol Type 14 F.2B, the definitive version.
The F.2B model, which entered widespread service, was produced under contract across various manufacturers. Initially, the first 150 aircraft were equipped with the Rolls-Royce Falcon I or II engines, while later models received the more powerful Falcon III engine. This change allowed the F.2B to reach a top speed of 123 mph and ascend to 10,000 feet some three minutes faster than the previous type. The design featured a fully covered lower wing centre-section and sloped longerons, improving the pilot's visibility during landing. Despite being a two-seater, it was agile in combat and outperformed many single-seater rivals.
A total of around 5,300 Bristol F.2B aircraft were built in Britain, with an additional 68 constructed in the USA. During some periods, engine supply was outpaced by airframe production, with the result that Rolls-Royce power plants of all types were utilised to offset the shortages.
The Bristol Type 15's produced by sub-contractors received the Sunbeam Arab piston engine, which relegated them to simple reconnaissance missions. Meanwhile, the Bristol Type 16 was fitted with the Hispano-Suiza engine, which once again failed to match the power of the Falcons. A proposed Bristol Type 22, meant to use a radial or rotary engine, was never completed, with the type number reassigned to the Bristol F.2C Badger.
The Bristol M.R.1, often referred to as the 'All-metal F.2B', was in fact a completely new design although it shared similar fuselage characteristics. Only two prototypes were ever built and it never entered production.
In peacetime, the Bristol Fighter was used as an Army Cooperation aircraft, notably in India and Iraq. A strengthened version, the Bristol Type 96, was developed as the Bristol Fighter Mk III, later converted to the Mk IV with a taller fin, Handley Page slots, and an aerodynamically-balanced rudder.
After the war, surplus F.2Bs were converted for civilian use as the Bristol Type 47 Tourer, fitted with the Siddeley Puma engine. These aircraft featured a closed canopy and improved performance, achieving speeds of around 128 mph in level flight.
Today, several F.2Bs can be seen in the collections of museums across the UK and Europe.