Bristol F2.b Fighter A7196

This profile is taken from a photo which appears in Trevor Henshaw's book, "The Sky Their Battlefield". The photo shows A7196 with Lieutenant Frederick "Fred" William Haig and Lieutenant Ronald Tynsdale Challinor in the cockpit and observers seat respectively. The photograph shows A7196 with a tri-coloured spinner, most likely red, white and blue. The engine cowl is a very worn looking battleship grey with several panels and blisters removed. This may have been for extra cooling purposes. The wheel covers are also either a faded PC10, a grey or blue. The aircraft like other Bristol Fighters in the same period of the Squadrons service is in a white and PC10 livery.

A7196 spent 3 operational months with 1 Squadron, being taken on strength by 1 Squadron on the 19th of February in 1918 from 111 Sqn RAF. It was however lost on the 1st of May along with Haig and Challinor when they were taken POW. Haig and Challinor in A7196 were on a special mission with Captain D.W. Rutherford and 2nd Lieutenant J. McElligott in B1146, when Rutherfords aircraft was forced down. Haig and Challinor attempted to pick up the two downed Australian airmen but they broke a wheel on take off. Both A7196 and B1148 were burnt before all four airmen were captured and taken POW.