The Vickers F.B.12 was a biplanepusherfighter aircraft developed during World War I by Vickers Limited. The failure of the engine for which it was designed, and the obsolescence of the pusher configuration, resulted in its remaining an experimental type only.
At the start of the First World War, Vickers entered into a partnership with the Hart Engine Company to develop a 150 hp (110 kW) nine-cylinder radial engine designed by Hart. This engine was planned to power a number of new designs by Vickers, the first of which was a small single-engine pusher biplane fighter, the F.B.12.[1]
The F.B.12 shared the obsolescent pusher layout of the D.H.2 and F.E.8, although the raised nacelle vastly improved the rear view from the cockpit. The wings were of wood and fabric construction, with rounded tips. The circular nacelle was framed in steel tubing, with the engine directly behind the cockpit, driving a wooden propeller. The tail was at the end of a structure of steel booms. A .303 in (7.7 mm) machine gun was placed inside the front of the nacelle, with only the barrel protruding.
The first FB.12 flew in June 1916, powered by an 80 hp (60 kW) Le Rhône rotary engine as the Hart was not yet available. With this engine, it proved to be underpowered and was re-fitted with a 100 hp (75 kW) Gnome Monosoupape engine. It was then rebuilt with increased wing span and area, becoming the F.B.12A.[2] In December 1916 it was sent to France for operational testing, where it was deemed as good as the D.H.2 and F.E.8, a rather back-handed recommendation as both these types were by now well outclassed by the latest German fighters, the Albatros D.Is.
The F.B.12B was similar to the F.B.12A, but fitted with the originally intended Hart engine, flying early in 1917.[2] In November 1916, meanwhile, the War Office placed an order for 50 Hart-powered aircraft, designated the F.B.12C for the RFC. The F.B.12B crashed during tests in early 1917, leading to Vickers abandoning the Hart. Only 18 of the order were built, being fitted with a number of different engines including a 110 hp (80 kW) Le Rhône and a 100 hp (75 kW) Anzani radial.[3] Tested between May and July 1917, only one F.B.12C was delivered, to a Home Defence unit.
The F.B.12D was the final variation, only one prototype was produced with a larger 110 hp (80 kW) Le Rhone engine.
Bruce, J. M. (1969). War Planes of the First World War: Volume Three Fighters. london: Macdonald. ISBN0-356-01490-8..
Lamberton, W. M. (1960). Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Herts: Harleyford Publications Ltd..
December 18, 2023
vickers, biplane, pusher, fighter, aircraft, developed, during, world, vickers, limited, failure, engine, which, designed, obsolescence, pusher, configuration, resulted, remaining, experimental, type, only, 12role, fighternational, origin, united, kingdommanuf. The Vickers F B 12 was a biplane pusher fighter aircraft developed during World War I by Vickers Limited The failure of the engine for which it was designed and the obsolescence of the pusher configuration resulted in its remaining an experimental type only F B 12Role FighterNational origin United KingdomManufacturer Vickers LimitedFirst flight July 1916Number built 22Front view Contents 1 Development and design 2 Operators 3 Variants 4 Specifications F B 12 5 See also 6 References 6 1 BibliographyDevelopment and design editAt the start of the First World War Vickers entered into a partnership with the Hart Engine Company to develop a 150 hp 110 kW nine cylinder radial engine designed by Hart This engine was planned to power a number of new designs by Vickers the first of which was a small single engine pusher biplane fighter the F B 12 1 The F B 12 shared the obsolescent pusher layout of the D H 2 and F E 8 although the raised nacelle vastly improved the rear view from the cockpit The wings were of wood and fabric construction with rounded tips The circular nacelle was framed in steel tubing with the engine directly behind the cockpit driving a wooden propeller The tail was at the end of a structure of steel booms A 303 in 7 7 mm machine gun was placed inside the front of the nacelle with only the barrel protruding The first FB 12 flew in June 1916 powered by an 80 hp 60 kW Le Rhone rotary engine as the Hart was not yet available With this engine it proved to be underpowered and was re fitted with a 100 hp 75 kW Gnome Monosoupape engine It was then rebuilt with increased wing span and area becoming the F B 12A 2 In December 1916 it was sent to France for operational testing where it was deemed as good as the D H 2 and F E 8 a rather back handed recommendation as both these types were by now well outclassed by the latest German fighters the Albatros D Is The F B 12B was similar to the F B 12A but fitted with the originally intended Hart engine flying early in 1917 2 In November 1916 meanwhile the War Office placed an order for 50 Hart powered aircraft designated the F B 12C for the RFC The F B 12B crashed during tests in early 1917 leading to Vickers abandoning the Hart Only 18 of the order were built being fitted with a number of different engines including a 110 hp 80 kW Le Rhone and a 100 hp 75 kW Anzani radial 3 Tested between May and July 1917 only one F B 12C was delivered to a Home Defence unit The F B 12D was the final variation only one prototype was produced with a larger 110 hp 80 kW Le Rhone engine Operators edit nbsp United KingdomRoyal Flying CorpsVariants editF B 12 F B 12a Mono Gnome engine F B 12b 150 hp 110 kW Hart radial engine F B 12c flat sided nacelle larger fin and rudder 18 production aircraft built F B 12d 110 hp 80 kW Le Rhone or 100 hp 75 kW Gnome Monosoupape engineSpecifications F B 12 editData from War Planes of the First World War Volume Three 4 5 General characteristicsCrew 1 Length 21 ft 6 in 6 55 m Upper wingspan 26 ft 0 in 7 92 m Lower wingspan 24 ft 0 in 7 32 m Height 8 ft 8 in 2 64 m Wing area 204 sq ft 19 0 m2 Empty weight 845 lb 383 kg Gross weight 1 275 lb 578 kg Powerplant 1 Gnome Monosoupape nine cylinder rotary engine 100 hp 75 kW Performance Maximum speed 86 mph 138 km h 75 kn at 6 500 ft 2 000 m Endurance 3 hr Service ceiling 11 500 ft 3 500 m Time to altitude 27 min 35 s to 10 000 ft 3 000 m Armament Guns One 303 in Lewis gunSee also editAirco DH 2 Royal Aircraft Factory F E 8Related lists List of aircraft of the Royal Flying Corps List of fighter aircraftReferences edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vickers F B 12 Bruce 1969 p 101 a b Bruce 1969 p 102 Bruce 1969 p 103 Bruce 1969 p 104 Lamberton 1960 p 78 Bibliography edit Bruce J M 1969 War Planes of the First World War Volume Three Fighters london Macdonald ISBN 0 356 01490 8 Lamberton W M 1960 Fighter Aircraft of the 1914 1918 War Herts Harleyford Publications Ltd Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Vickers F B 12 amp oldid 1096483804, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
