Vickers F.B.5
Vickers Limited · United Kingdom · first flew 1914 · fighter
The Vickers F.B.5, popularly known as the 'Gunbus', was the first purpose-designed British fighter aircraft, entering service in early 1915 with the Royal Flying Corps. Its pusher configuration placed the observer-gunner in the nose with a clear field of fire ahead.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.28 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- World War I pusher biplane fighter
- Observer/gunner in nose, engine behind crew
- Known as the 'Gunbus' — first purpose-built British fighter
A pusher biplane with the engine mounted behind the crew nacelle, open tail booms to a conventional tail assembly, and a Lewis gun mounted in the observer's nose position — the classic pusher fighter layout.
Specifications
- The Vickers F.B.5 has a length of 8.28 m (27 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.13 m (37 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 113 km/h (70 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The F.B.5 was the first RFC type specifically tasked with aerial combat rather than reconnaissance. Its pusher layout solved the problem of forward-firing armament without needing gun synchronisation, giving the gunner an unobstructed forward arc. It equipped the first dedicated fighter squadron, No. 11 Squadron RFC, in July 1915. The type was rapidly outclassed once the Fokker Eindeckers appeared with synchronised forward-firing guns.
Variants
The F.B.5 was produced in modest numbers; a float-equipped seaplane variant, the F.B.5A, was also trialled.
Where you'll see it
Served with the Royal Flying Corps on the Western Front in 1915, as well as with the Royal Naval Air Service; quickly replaced by more capable fighters by late 1915.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.