Visit to the Bristol F2b fighter being built for Aerospace Bristol in the USA

by David Bradley

The F.2B is currently located in Gardner at Andy Crumpholt’s home (predominately wing, tailplane and fin sections) and a hangar (for fuselage and fittings) at Lawrence Airport north of Boston. The following photographs were taken by David Bradley in September.

The Outer Wings

Both starboard outer wings (above) are essentially complete but need all the cross bracing wires and the various metal fittings along the spars for the struts, flying wires and connection to the centre wing. One of the interplane struts can also be seen in the photo, with some still to be made. Many parts for the port outer wings have been made but assembly cannot be started until the spars have been made.

Fighter

The Centre Wings

The bottom section needs cross bracing and both sections need all the metal fittings including the strut connections to the fuselage.

Fighter
Fighter

Ailerons

Two complete structures and two awaiting completion. They will need all the metal fittings and the aileron operating levers.

Fighter
Fighter

Tailplane and Elevators

Metal structures: missing rib at the inboard end of the tailplanes, elevators need painting.

Fighter
Fighter

Fin and Rudder

The fin is in two sections with the smaller section below the rear fuselage.

Fighter
Fighter

Fuselage

Pilots seat

Gunners seat not made – it is a simple cushion on box-like structure.

Fighter

Front Fuselage

The fuselage is in two main sections: the front is a metal tubular structure and rear a wooden structure which is shown below. The front metal structure will be an UK task and the tubular structure has already been obtained.

Fighter

Rear Fuselage

Covering strips for the longerons to facilitate the fabric covering of the fuselage have to be made.

Fighter

Tailplane incidence control

Fighter

Location of navigators control column

Fighter

Pilots instrument panel

Fighter
Various components

Various components

Various components – from left to right:

  • Tailplane incidence lever (incomplete – needs curved rack and some rack engagement parts to be made in UK)

  • Navigators control column

  • Rudder bar with Pyramid mounting

  • Bottom part of pilot’s control column which needs the circular ring top (UK task)

  • Top part of the navigators control column

  • Two struts (unidentified)

  • Tailplane incidence control bar with its operating levers

  • Tail skid components. Tail skid not available, and the two struts noted above may be the side stays to the tailskid components.

Additional tailskid components.

Additional tailskid components.

Shaun Ogden