The Bristol F.2 fighter was a British two seat bi-lane fighter and
reconnaissance aircraft designed by Frank Barnwell, which first took to
the air in September 1916. It remained in production well into the
1920s.
This aircraft is modelled on the Bristol F2B A-7288, flown by
Lt A E McKeever and his observer Lt L Powell of 11 Squadron, Royal
Flying Corps on 11th November 1917. Flying over Northern France, they
notched up 5 victories, all but one against the German Albatros. Andrew
Edward McKeever was one of the most highly decorated flying aces of WWI,
earning the DSO, MC and MC and Bar. Of Canadian origin, he survived the
war and went back to Toronto. Sadly he died in 1919 following a car
accident near Stratford, Ontario. He was only 25 years old. Decorated
with green upper wings and cream underwings all decorated with the RFC
roundel, our model bi-plane carries the number A-7288 on the tailfin in
white with Number 7 on the fuselage under the cockpit. Note the twin
machine guns in the rear cockpit and the propeller hub which has a
specially designed cone fitted to it. The propellers have also been
given a ‘varnished wood' appearance, adding to the realism of this
charming little 1:72 scale model.