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The first "pusher" to enter service during World War I was the Vickers Fighting Biplane 5. A two-seater, it was the first aircraft specifically designed as a fighter for the Royal Flying Corps. The first F.B.5 to reach France was delivered to 2 Squadron in February 1915 and 11 Squadron was equipped with F.B.5s in July 1915. Also known as the Vickers "Gunbus," it was armed with a moveable, forward-firing machine gun but it was vulnerable to attack from the rear. The F.B.5 was soon replaced by more advanced single-seat fighter aircraft like the Airco D.H.2. |
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Vickers F.B.5 Specifications |
Country: |
Great Britain |
Manufacturer: |
Vickers |
Type: |
Fighter |
Introduced: |
1914 |
Number Built: |
More than 250 |
Engine: |
Gnôme Monosoupape, 9-cylinder, air cooled rotary, 100 hp |
Wing Span: |
36 ft 6 in (11.13 m) |
Length: |
27 ft 2 in (8.28 m) |
Height: |
11 ft 6 in (3.51 m) |
Empty Weight: |
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Gross Weight: |
2,050 lb (930 kg) |
Max Speed: |
70 mph (113 km/h) at 5,000 ft (1,524 m) |
Ceiling: |
9,000 ft (2,743 m) |
Endurance: |
4½ hours |
Crew: |
2 |
Armament: |
1-2 machine guns |
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