It’s been over two years now since Warbirds Online reported on the construction of Australian aviator, Phillip Cooper’s, Bristol F2B Fighter replica to celebrate the history of the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) operation of the type. The aircraft is being constructed by Matt Webber and the team at Luskintyre Aircraft Restoration (LAR) NSW.
Work has proceeded apace, and the aircraft is now in advanced state of construction. The fuselage, empennage and wing structures is largely complete, detail work is being conducted to complete the aircraft to the most accurate standard possible.
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- Bristol F2B fuselage
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- Bristol F2B Fighter Scarff ring
At the time of our visit the aircrafts wings were laid out in the workshop pending a trial fitting to fuselage in the near future. Once the wing fit is confirmed work will continue to complete the fuselages internal fit out. This included the final rigging of the control cables, fuel tank and system, instruments and panel and the other myriad of details. Both upper and lower wing centre sections are complete and in place as well as the complex and accurate radiator cowl and shutters. The fuselage and wings will then be covered, and the final assembly can then be completed followed by rigging. A magnificent new built Scarff Ring for the rear seat guns has now arrived. and trial fitted. The replica guns for it will follow shortly.
Once all of the construction is complete and all necessary inspections and checks have been completed the aircraft will then undergo extensive engine runs of its de Havilland Gipsy Queen 70 series engine before test flights take place.
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- Bristol F2B Fighter wings
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- Bristol F2B wings nearing completion
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- Bristol F2B Fighter detail fitting
There is no completion date for the aircraft but given the progress of late it can’t be very much longer before this magnificent aircraft takes to the skies. Owner Phillip Cooper still maintains a very keen interest in the progress of the aircraft and as previously reported it has been a very detailed and accurate rebuild so the end result will be a real credit to LAR and Phillip Cooper’s determination to produce the best possible result..
Warbirds Online will continue to monitor and report on progress of this beautiful aircraft as it steadily progresses to flight. We thank owner Phillip Cooper and Matt Webber and the team at Luskintyre Aircraft Restoration NSW for granting us access to report on this fabulous restoration project.
Read more about this aircraft in our news article of 2 December 2019, Bristol F2B Fighter at Luskintyre Aircraft Restoration
© John Parker 2021
I am a 89 year old American named for my uncle Ervin David Shaw who was flying with RAF 48th squadron F2B when killed and buried, the only American, in Regina Trench Cemetery in France. Grandmother received a letter from Lt Keith Parks, uncle Ervin’s commander, we still have this letter. The pictures on this web site are interesting as they show much of the F2B construction. Ross Walton in Kentucky, USA invited me to see his F2B , I am excited. Please let me know if you receive this letter.
Hi Ervin
Thank you for the interesting information about your family history. I’m sure you would be excited to see the F2B. They are a wonderful aircraft with a rich history.
Kind regards
John
Hi Ervin,
Your uncle is mentioned twice in the Air-Britain book on the Bristol Fighter. Firstly flying C808 on an 18.25hrs Offensive Patrol for 48 Sqn. on 2nd July 1918, Lt E.D. Shaw USAS/Sgt T.W. Smith both OK machine shot through in combat. The second time is when he was sadly killed, B1113 18.00hrs reconnaissance 9th July 1918 1/Lt E.D. Shaw USAS/Sgt T.W. Smith both KIA, believed shot down in combat with 3 Pfalz aircraft. I guess you may know this already, but thought it might be of interest, if not. My great uncle Thomas Cecil Silwood Tuffield, know as Cecil was an observer on 48 Sqn during 1917. I also edited the individual aircraft histories in the book in question. Very best regards,
Mark
Hi John,
Apologies if this has already come to light, but just as a matter of interest, Keith Park (Later AVM Keith Park) was a member of 48 Squadron, RFC – might the officer that Ervin Shaw has mentioned in his email as being the author of the correspondence be one and the same?
Park flew and was an admirer of the F.2B Fighter.
Kindest and really enjoy your website,
Rick
Hi Rick
We are not sure Rick, but thanks for sharing this information.
Kind regards
John
I just came across this post on the Bristol b2f . I was one of the original builders of the movie replicas that ended up in NZ and I see now in Australia. I have some pictures of the construction of the planes as well as a written story of the process of them being built. Please let me know if you are interested in any of the information.
Hi Mike
Thanks for getting in touch. Happy to receive any information that you may have available. You can contact us at warbirdsonline@bigpond.com
Kind regards
John