fighter
two
Gnome rotary
100 h.p.
1,220 lbs.
2,050 lbs.
1- 7.7 mm
27' 2"
36' 6"
70 mph
400 fpm
9,000 feet
240 miles
10/10/1914
1915
The Vickers Gunbus F.B.5 was the world's first operational dedicated pure fighter plane. In fact, F.B. stands for Fighting Biplane.
Vickers Gunbus
A Vickers Gunbus built by Ray Williams. It has a wingspan of 144 1/2" with a fuselage length of 107 1/2".
In 1912, the British government issued a request
for a fighter aircraft armed with a machine gun. The Vickers Gunbus was
the answer to the request. It became the first British aircraft to have a machine gun as part of its armament. This was mounted directly in front of the aircraft.
It had a forward field of fire unencumbered by a propeller, due to the fact that the aircraft used a pusher prop. An observer/gunner operated the machine gun from the aircraft's front seat while the aircraft was piloted from the rear cockpit.
Cleveland Model has plans for the Vickers Gunbus for sale. Wingspans are 14", 18 3/4", 28", 37 1/2", 56", 75" and a giant scale 112 1/2".
Vickers Gunbus
Ray Williams and his Vickers Gunbus. Ray is working on producing an exact scale replica engine.
The Vickers Gunbus was deployed to the Western Front in February of
1915, but did not see action until the end of July. That was when an
entire squadron comprised solely of the aircraft was formed in France.
Vickers Gunbus
Rubber powered free flight Vickers Gunbus built by Rich Weber shown at the July 2008 FAC Nats.
While the Vickers Gunbus proved well built, it did not have the speed to
engage many other aircraft of its day. The British government soon
realized this and withdrew the Vickers Gunbus from the front lines. It
was thereafter used as a trainer. Vickers produced a total of 224 of the
aircraft.
Vickers Gunbus
The Vickers Gunbus built by Remy Haines Sr. from Cleveland Plans.
The Vickers Gunbus makes an unusual and interesting scale model rc
airplane. We wish that kits were available for it. It would probably be a
hit with rc modelers.
Vickers F.B. 5 Gun Bus
