Conceived by the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company as a prospective replacement for the BE2 Frank Barnwell's R2 (the R signifying reconnaissance) was to be powered by the proven 120hp Beardmore. Early in 1916 details of the 150 hp Hispano-Suiza vee-eight became known and Barnwell reworked his design to incorporate the promising new engine. From this emerged the smaller and more compact Bristol F2 (F for Fighter). The F2a's combat debut was nothing less than a disaster with four out of six aircraft lost and the two survivors badly shot up. Nevertheless, when the tactical lessons learned from this and other early failures were applied the Bristol Fighter became an invaluable addition to the RFC's fighting strength and the improved F2b was quickly ordered into production. Soon known as the "Biff", and later the "Brisfit", in the definitive Rolls-Royce engined form it was one of the all time great aircraft and continued in RAF service until 1932 in a multitude of roles unforseen fourteen years before.

"E2581. Imperial War Museum...This is possibly the most authentic WW1 Bristol Fighter in existence and for many years was suspended in the Imperial War Museum at Lambeth before being taken down and re-covered during the early part of 1984."

"E2581 was one of 500 F2Bs built by the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company (later Bristol) in September 1918. The origin of its unusual black/white diamond fuselage marking and numeral 13 has baffled many enthusiasts for years, but there is no great mystery. E2581 was first issued to No. 39 Home Defense Squadron RAF at North Weald in Essex and at least one contemporary photograph showing a line-up of 39 HDS Bristols reveals a machine in similar markings, possibly the IWM aeroplane itself. From December 1918, E2581 was flowen by a number of Communications and Headquarters flights operating from aerodromes around London until its final flight April 1920. In March the following year the RAF transferred the Bristol to the Imperial War Museum and from 1923 to 1931 it was on loan to the Science Museum and displayed at South Kensington. In 1936 E2581 returned to Lambeth."

Airfix released their 1/72 Bristol Fighter in 1958, the same year as the Sopwith Camel and the year after the RE8. As is apparent from the extract above E2581 had only the very briefest of wartime careers, all of which it spent on home establishment, so this artwork for the 1970's reissue is every bit as fanciful as that for the RE8. But the striking 39 squadron markings, even though incorrectly rendered, did make for an eyecatching model.

The partially covered Bristol fighter at the RAF museum Hendon is assembled from the original parts of six aircraft combined with others made in the museum's own workshops. Marked to represent E2466, a Bristol F2b fighter flown by Captain W.F.J. Harvey of 22 Squadron, it offers a unique opportunity to examine the inner workings of a classic great war aeroplane. The Museum is to be congratulated on such an imaginative display

I am once again indebted to Nick Saunders for providing the photographs on this page. Thanks Nick.