Beefed up Biffs

LeicesterTiger · 3 September 2008, 02:53 PM

I've started to do some research into the Bristol F2B Fighter, and although i've got a few books specifically relating to the Biff and the Squadrons that flew them, i'm yet to seriously get into them, for the moment have just looked at photos. One thing i've noticed is that 'Beefed up' Biffs (ie with twin Lewis' for the Observer, extra Lewis over the upper wing etc) seems to be exclusive to 22 Squadron.

Has anyone seen any photos or written evidence etc of other Squadrons doing so? If not, why not? In the 22 Squadron book 'Pi in the Sky' it mentions that although twin Lewis' was very desirable, at 8000 feet due to oxygen starvation, the Observer wasn't able to track aircraft fast enough with 'Huntley and Palmer' (a nickname for twin Lewis'), and at 16000 feet it became impossible for the Observer to move them at all.

I'd also be interested in anyones thoughts on the subject

Testerchild · 12 September 2008, 03:35 PM

Leicester,

Sorry to take so long, but I've been out of circ for a while.

20 Squadron had SOME of its F2b's fitted with twin Lewis guns. I've been researching the squadron for some time, and I've read several C/R's where they say something like: "the observer fired x many rounds from his twin Lewis guns."

It's a bit late at night to start looking up the specific references right now, but if you want to know more I'll try to dig them up over the weekend.

I've yet to find any relevant photo's though.

Bob

Lufbery · 12 September 2008, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeicesterTiger

One thing I've noticed is that 'Beefed up' Biffs (i.e., with twin Lewis' for the Observer, extra Lewis over the upper wing etc) seems to be exclusive to 22 Squadron.

Has anyone seen any photos or written evidence etc of other Squadrons doing so?

Leicester,

Check out Bristol F 2 Fighter Aces of World War I by Jon Guttman. There are several photos of Bristol Fighters with twin Lewis guns from other squadrons. For example: on page 60 there's a photo of a Biff from No. 62 Squadron with twin Lewis guns, and several photos from No. 1 Squadron AFC (Australian Flying Corps) with twin guns in the back.

Regards,

TomVrille · 13 September 2008, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeicesterTiger

..Has anyone seen any photos or written evidence etc of other Squadrons doing so? If not, why not? In the 22 Squadron book 'Pi in the Sky' it mentions that although twin Lewis' was very desirable, at 8000 feet due to oxygen starvation, the Observer wasn't able to track aircraft fast enough with 'Huntley and Palmer' (a nickname for twin Lewis'), and at 16000 feet it became impossible for the Observer to move them at all. ...

Greetings Tiger..
In Chaz Bowyer's book Bristol F2B Fighter _ King of Two-Seaters, the point is made that the twin yoked Lewis guns became popular with earlier two-seaters such as the RE8s and FK8s. These aircraft typically operated at at lower altitudes where oxygen deprivation was not as much of a concern as with the F2B.

The same reference also shows photographic evidence that the twin yoked Lewis guns were used by 1 Squadron AFC.