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{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
{{Use British English|date=May 2017}}
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{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
| name=F.B.24
| name=F.B.24
| image=
| image=
| caption=
| caption=
}}
}}
{{Infobox Aircraft Type
{{Infobox aircraft type
| type=Two-seat fighter
| type=Two-seat fighter
| national origin=[[United Kingdom]]
| national origin=United Kingdom
| manufacturer=[[Vickers Limited|Vickers]]
| manufacturer=[[Vickers Limited|Vickers]]
| designer=
| designer=
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|}


The '''Vickers F.B.24''' was a [[United Kingdom|British]] two-seat [[fighter aircraft]] of the [[First World War]]. Only a few prototypes were built, as although it had good performance, the [[Bristol F.2 Fighter]] was preferred.
The '''Vickers F.B.24''' was a British two-seat [[fighter aircraft]] of the First World War. Only a few prototypes were built, as, although it had good performance, the [[Bristol F.2 Fighter]] was preferred.


==Design and development==
==Design and development==


In the early years of the [[First World War]], [[Vickers Limited]] designed a number of aircraft to use the 150&nbsp;hp (112&nbsp;kW) Hart [[radial engine]], the development of which was being funded by Vickers, including two single seat fighters, the [[Vickers F.B.12|F.B.12]] [[pusher configuration|pusher]] and the [[tractor configuration|tractor]] [[Vickers F.B.16|F.B.16]].<ref name="Andrews Vickers p63,66">Andrews and Morgan 1988, pp. 63, 66.</ref> A third design planned to use the Hart was the '''F.B.24''', a two seat fighter reconnaissance aircraft.<ref name="Andrews Vickers p72-3">Andrews and Morgan 1988, pp. 72–73.</ref>
In the early years of the First World War, [[Vickers Limited]] designed a number of aircraft to use the 150&nbsp;hp (112&nbsp;kW) Hart [[radial engine]], the development of which was being funded by Vickers, including two single-seat fighters, the [[Vickers F.B.12|F.B.12]] [[pusher configuration|pusher]] and the [[tractor configuration|tractor]] [[Vickers F.B.16|F.B.16]].<ref name="Andrews Vickers p63,66">Andrews and Morgan 1988, pp. 63, 66.</ref> A third design planned to use the Hart was the '''F.B.24''', a two-seat fighter reconnaissance aircraft.<ref name="Andrews Vickers p72-3">Andrews and Morgan 1988, pp. 72–73.</ref>


The Hart engine proved to be unreliable, however, and was abandoned prior to the first prototype being completed in December 1916, and it became necessary to find a new powerplant for the F.B.24, with the [[Hispano-Suiza 8]] being chosen.<ref name="Bruce v3 p118">Bruce 1969, p. 118.</ref> The first two prototypes, the F.B.24A and F.B.24B used a 150&nbsp;hp Hispano-Suiza,<ref name="Andrews Vickers p73">Andrews and Morgan 1988, p. 73.</ref> with the first probably flying in March 1917.<ref name="Mason Fighter p101">Mason 1992, p. 101.</ref> but were converted to use a 200&nbsp;hp (149&nbsp;kW) Hispano-Suiza, becoming the F.B.24D. The F.B.24D was a [[interplane strut|two-bay]] [[biplane]] with a rectangular section [[fuselage]]. The pilot and observer/gunner sat close together in separate open cockpits, with the pilot directly under the upper wings. Despite transparent panels built into the upper wings, the pilots view was very poor.<ref name="Bruce v3 p118-0">Bruce 1969, pp. 118–120.</ref>
The Hart engine proved to be unreliable, however, and was abandoned prior to the first prototype being completed in December 1916, and it became necessary to find a new powerplant for the F.B.24, with the [[Hispano-Suiza 8]] being chosen.<ref name="Bruce v3 p118">Bruce 1969, p. 118.</ref> The first two prototypes, the F.B.24A and F.B.24B used a 150&nbsp;hp Hispano-Suiza,<ref name="Andrews Vickers p73">Andrews and Morgan 1988, p. 73.</ref> with the first probably flying in March 1917.<ref name="Mason Fighter p101">Mason 1992, p. 101.</ref> but were converted to use a 200&nbsp;hp (149&nbsp;kW) Hispano-Suiza, becoming the F.B.24D. The F.B.24D was a [[interplane strut|two-bay]] [[biplane]] with a rectangular section [[fuselage]]. The pilot and observer/gunner sat close together in separate open cockpits, with the pilot directly under the upper wings. Despite transparent panels built into the upper wings, the pilot's view was very poor.<ref name="Bruce v3 p118-0">Bruce 1969, pp. 118–120.</ref>


The F.B.24C was similar to the Hispano-Suiza powered aircraft, but was slightly larger and heavier, and was powered by a 275&nbsp;hp (205&nbsp;kW) [[Lorraine Deitrich 8Bd]] water cooled V-8, with the cylinder blocks being enclosed in bulky fairings that protruded from the upper corners of the cowling, further restricting the pilot's view. The type was tested by the French, and although Vickers claimed good performance, the French foungd the aircraft's climb performance was not as claimed by Vickers, and the type was not adopted.<ref name="Bruce v3 p120">Bruce 1969, p. 120.</ref> The F.B.24E was an attempt to improve the poor view for the pilot, with the fuselage being raised so that the top was level with the upper wing, and the pilot sitting with his head protuding through the gap between the two wing spars.<Bruce v3 p120-2">Bruce 1969, p. 120, 122.</ref>
The F.B.24C was similar to the Hispano-Suiza powered aircraft, but was slightly larger and heavier, and was powered by a 275&nbsp;hp (205&nbsp;kW) [[Lorraine-Dietrich 8Bd]] water-cooled V8, with the cylinder blocks being enclosed in bulky fairings that protruded from the upper corners of the cowling, further restricting the pilot's view. The type was tested by the French, and although Vickers claimed good performance, the French found the aircraft's climb performance not as claimed by Vickers, and the type was not adopted.<ref name="Bruce v3 p120">Bruce 1969, p. 120.</ref> The F.B.24E was an attempt to improve the poor view for the pilot, with the fuselage being raised so that the top was level with the upper wing, and the pilot sitting with his head protruding through the gap between the two wing spars.<ref name="Bruce v3 p120-2">Bruce 1969, p. 120, 122.</ref>


The final version was the F.B.24G. This was of similar layout to the F.B.24E, but was larger still, and was powered by a 375&nbsp;hp (280&nbsp;kW) Lorraine Dietrich [[V12 engine]] single example was built by [[Darracq]] in France, not flying until after the end of the war.<ref name="Bruce v3 p122">Bruce 1969, p. 122.</ref>
The final version was the F.B.24G. This was of similar layout to the F.B.24E, but was larger still, and was powered by a 375&nbsp;hp (280&nbsp;kW) Lorraine-Dietrich [[V12 engine]], the single example being built by [[Darracq and Company London|Darracq]] in France, not flying until after the end of the war.<ref name="Bruce v3 p122">Bruce 1969, p. 122.</ref>


==Variants==
==Variants==
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:Second prototype.
:Second prototype.
;F.B.24C
;F.B.24C
:Powered by 275&nbsp;hp (205&nbsp;kW) Lorraine Deitrich 8Bd engine.
:Powered by 275&nbsp;hp (205&nbsp;kW) Lorraine-Dietrich 8Bd engine.
;F.B.24D
;F.B.24D
:Powered by 200&nbsp;hp (149&nbsp;kW) Hispano-Suiza engine.
:Powered by 200&nbsp;hp (149&nbsp;kW) Hispano-Suiza engine.
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:Example with raised fuselage to improve pilot's view. Powered by 200&nbsp;hp Hispano-Suiza or [[Wolseley Viper]] engine.<ref name="Bruce v3 p120"/>
:Example with raised fuselage to improve pilot's view. Powered by 200&nbsp;hp Hispano-Suiza or [[Wolseley Viper]] engine.<ref name="Bruce v3 p120"/>
;F.B.24G
;F.B.24G
:Larger fighter, powered by 375&nbsp;hp (280&nbsp;kW) Lorraine Dietrich V-12 engine. One built postwar by Darracq in France.
:Larger fighter, powered by 375&nbsp;hp (280&nbsp;kW) Lorraine-Dietrich V-12 engine. One built postwar by Darracq in France.


==Specifications (F.B.24C) ==
==Specifications (F.B.24C)==
{{Aircraft specs
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=British Aeroplanes 1914–1918<ref name="Bruce British p691-2">Bruce 1957, pp. 691–692.</ref>
|ref=British Aeroplanes 1914–1918<ref name="Bruce British p691-2">Bruce 1957, pp. 691–692.</ref>
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|genhide=
|genhide=


|crew=2
|crew=two
|capacity=
|capacity=
|length m=
|length m=
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|eng1 number=1
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Lorraine-Dietrich 8Bd]]
|eng1 name=[[Lorraine-Dietrich 8Bd]]
|eng1 type=water-cooled [[V-8 engine]]
|eng1 type=water-cooled [[V8 engine]]
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 hp=275<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 hp=275<!-- prop engines -->
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Armament
Armament
-->
-->
|guns= 2× fixed, forward firing, [[.303 British|.303 inch]] (7.7 mm) [[Vickers machine gun]]s and 1× [[Lewis gun]] on [[Scarff ring]] in rear cockpit<ref name="Bruce v3 p122-3">Bruce 1969, pp. 122–123.</ref>
|guns= 2× fixed, forward firing, [[.303 British|.303 inch]] (7.7&nbsp;mm) [[Vickers machine gun]]s and 1× [[Lewis Gun]] on [[Scarff ring]] in rear cockpit<ref name="Bruce v3 p122-3">Bruce 1969, pp. 122–123.</ref>
|bombs=
|bombs=


|avionics=
|avionics=
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==Notes==
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

==References==
==References==
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
* Andrews, C.F. and E.B. Morgan. ''Vickers Aircraft since 1908''. London:Putnam, 1988. ISBN 0 85177 815 1.
* Andrews, C.F. and E.B. Morgan. ''Vickers Aircraft since 1908''. London:Putnam, 1988. {{ISBN|0-85177-815-1}}.
*Bruce, J.M. ''British Aeroplanes 1914–18''. London:Putnam, 1957.
*Bruce, J.M. ''British Aeroplanes 1914–18''. London:Putnam, 1957.
* Bruce, J. M. ''War Planes of the First World War:Volume Three Fighters''. London:Macdonald, 1969. ISBN 0 356 01490 8.
* Bruce, J. M. ''War Planes of the First World War:Volume Three Fighters''. London:Macdonald, 1969. {{ISBN|0-356-01490-8}}.
* Mason, Francis K. ''The British Fighter since 1912''. Annapolis, Maryland, USA:Naval Institute Press, 1992. ISBN 1-55750-082-7.
* Mason, Francis K. ''The British Fighter since 1912''. Annapolis, Maryland, USA:Naval Institute Press, 1992. {{ISBN|1-55750-082-7}}.
* [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1919/1919%20-%200760.html?tracked=1 ""Milestones":The Vickers Machines"]. ''[[Flight International|Flight]]'', 12 June 1919. pp. 760–769.
* [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1919/1919%20-%200760.html?tracked=1 ""Milestones":The Vickers Machines"]. ''[[Flight International|Flight]]'', 12 June 1919. pp.&nbsp;760–769.
{{refend}}
{{refend}}
<!-- ==Further reading== -->
<!-- ==Further reading== -->
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{{Vickers aircraft}}
{{Vickers aircraft}}
{{Aviation lists}}


[[Category:British fighter aircraft 1910-1919]]
[[Category:1910s British fighter aircraft]]
[[Category:Vickers aircraft|F.B.24]]
[[Category:Vickers aircraft|F.B.24]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1917]]
[[Category:Biplanes]]

Latest revision as of 06:58, 20 May 2022

F.B.24
Role Two-seat fighter
National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer Vickers
First flight 1917

The Vickers F.B.24 was a British two-seat fighter aircraft of the First World War. Only a few prototypes were built, as, although it had good performance, the Bristol F.2 Fighter was preferred.

Design and development[edit]

In the early years of the First World War, Vickers Limited designed a number of aircraft to use the 150 hp (112 kW) Hart radial engine, the development of which was being funded by Vickers, including two single-seat fighters, the F.B.12 pusher and the tractor F.B.16.[1] A third design planned to use the Hart was the F.B.24, a two-seat fighter reconnaissance aircraft.[2]

The Hart engine proved to be unreliable, however, and was abandoned prior to the first prototype being completed in December 1916, and it became necessary to find a new powerplant for the F.B.24, with the Hispano-Suiza 8 being chosen.[3] The first two prototypes, the F.B.24A and F.B.24B used a 150 hp Hispano-Suiza,[4] with the first probably flying in March 1917.[5] but were converted to use a 200 hp (149 kW) Hispano-Suiza, becoming the F.B.24D. The F.B.24D was a two-bay biplane with a rectangular section fuselage. The pilot and observer/gunner sat close together in separate open cockpits, with the pilot directly under the upper wings. Despite transparent panels built into the upper wings, the pilot's view was very poor.[6]

The F.B.24C was similar to the Hispano-Suiza powered aircraft, but was slightly larger and heavier, and was powered by a 275 hp (205 kW) Lorraine-Dietrich 8Bd water-cooled V8, with the cylinder blocks being enclosed in bulky fairings that protruded from the upper corners of the cowling, further restricting the pilot's view. The type was tested by the French, and although Vickers claimed good performance, the French found the aircraft's climb performance not as claimed by Vickers, and the type was not adopted.[7] The F.B.24E was an attempt to improve the poor view for the pilot, with the fuselage being raised so that the top was level with the upper wing, and the pilot sitting with his head protruding through the gap between the two wing spars.[8]

The final version was the F.B.24G. This was of similar layout to the F.B.24E, but was larger still, and was powered by a 375 hp (280 kW) Lorraine-Dietrich V12 engine, the single example being built by Darracq in France, not flying until after the end of the war.[9]

Variants[edit]

F.B.24A
First prototype - 150 hp (112 kW) Hispano-Suiza 8 engine.
F.B.24B
Second prototype.
F.B.24C
Powered by 275 hp (205 kW) Lorraine-Dietrich 8Bd engine.
F.B.24D
Powered by 200 hp (149 kW) Hispano-Suiza engine.
F.B.24E
Example with raised fuselage to improve pilot's view. Powered by 200 hp Hispano-Suiza or Wolseley Viper engine.[7]
F.B.24G
Larger fighter, powered by 375 hp (280 kW) Lorraine-Dietrich V-12 engine. One built postwar by Darracq in France.

Specifications (F.B.24C)[edit]

Data from British Aeroplanes 1914–1918[10]

General characteristics

  • Crew: two
  • Length: 26 ft 6 in (8.08 m)
  • Upper wingspan: 37 ft 6 in (11.43 m)
  • Lower wingspan: 31 ft 0 in (9.45 m)
  • Wing area: 384 sq ft (35.7 m2)
  • Empty weight: 1,709 lb (775 kg)
  • Gross weight: 2,650 lb (1,202 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lorraine-Dietrich 8Bd water-cooled V8 engine, 275 hp (205 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 129.5 mph (208.4 km/h, 112.5 kn) at 10,000 ft (3,050 m)
  • Endurance: 3 hours
  • Service ceiling: 23,000 ft (7,000 m) (absolute ceiling)
  • Time to altitude:
    • 11 minutes to 10,000 ft (3,050 m)
    • 18 minutes to 15,000 ft (4,670 m)

Armament

See also[edit]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Andrews and Morgan 1988, pp. 63, 66.
  2. ^ Andrews and Morgan 1988, pp. 72–73.
  3. ^ Bruce 1969, p. 118.
  4. ^ Andrews and Morgan 1988, p. 73.
  5. ^ Mason 1992, p. 101.
  6. ^ Bruce 1969, pp. 118–120.
  7. ^ a b Bruce 1969, p. 120.
  8. ^ Bruce 1969, p. 120, 122.
  9. ^ Bruce 1969, p. 122.
  10. ^ Bruce 1957, pp. 691–692.
  11. ^ Bruce 1969, pp. 122–123.

References[edit]

  • Andrews, C.F. and E.B. Morgan. Vickers Aircraft since 1908. London:Putnam, 1988. ISBN 0-85177-815-1.
  • Bruce, J.M. British Aeroplanes 1914–18. London:Putnam, 1957.
  • Bruce, J. M. War Planes of the First World War:Volume Three Fighters. London:Macdonald, 1969. ISBN 0-356-01490-8.
  • Mason, Francis K. The British Fighter since 1912. Annapolis, Maryland, USA:Naval Institute Press, 1992. ISBN 1-55750-082-7.
  • ""Milestones":The Vickers Machines". Flight, 12 June 1919. pp. 760–769.


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