Bristol Fighter F.2B AFC B1223 replica

Hunter Fighter Collection, as the curator of the Hunter Warbirds aircraft collection has recently completed construction of an additional exhibit with significant importance to Scone and the Upper Hunter Region, NSW.  A Bristol F2.B Fighter replica will be the feature as a diorama display to be added to the Hunter Warbirds Aviation Attraction at Scone NSW, which continues to go from strength to strength with new exhibits and aircraft being added.

Following the generous donation of a Bristol F2.B Fighter replica fuselage frame by Phillip Cooper from Queensland in 2021 to Hunter Fighter Collection, an initiative was commenced to build up a diorama of B1223 “The Upper Hunter Battleplane”.  The Bristol Fighter replica will be on display at Hunter Warbirds, alongside the flying replica F2.B B1229, in the form of a diorama depicting the newly delivered Bristol B1223, being assembled in Palestine prior to entering service with I Sqn AFC.

During WWI Charles Alma Baker a New Zealander created a “Battleplane Fund” to which Australians were encouraged to contribute the sum of £2,700 for an aircraft to serve with the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) or the Royal Flying Corps (RFC). The largest region by far to make these contributions were the Upper Hunter with 12 aircraft donated either by collections of citizens or individuals.

One donation was made by the people of the Upper Hunter, who as a community raised the required £2,700 which was utilized to purchase a Bristol F2.B Fighter (B1223) to 1 Sqn AFC.  Bristol 1223 served in the Middle East alongside several other aircraft donated by the Upper Hunter including the famous B1229 flown by Sir Ross Smith. A replica of B1229 is currently flying at Scone with Hunter Fighter Collection.

The build of the fuselage was undertaken by Matt Webber and the team at Luskintyre Aircraft Restoration, with assistance from the Upper Hunter Shire Council and Pays Aviation and Vintage Fighter Restorations. The quality of the work completed by Luskintyre Aircraft Restoration is both meticulous and exceptional. The replica fuselage is complete with tail and markings as well as center sections and undercarriage and will be completed over time by HFC volunteers to include an engine, cowlings and Scarf ring.

The diorama will shortly be installed at Hunter Warbirds as a tribute to 1 Sqn AFC and the men and women of the Hunter valley who supported them. The diorama will make an excellent addition to the displays at Hunter Warbirds and it’s well worth a visit to see this new display.

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© John Parker 2022