Ring-and-Bead Sight on a Bristol F2b Fighter?

Buffnut453 · 3 July 2022, 07:28 AM

I'm trying to work out how the pilot's ring-and-bead sight was installed. I found a couple of photos which show the ring installed left-of-centre, and mounted to the underside of the upper wing (the Aldis optical sight was normally right of centre).

I have 2 problems based on the images. Firstly, where is the bead part of the sight fitted? I can't make it out on either of the images but, for the 5in ring, it was supposed to be 38in forward. Secondly, the ring portion of the sight seems to be mounted a long way from the pilot. I'm actually wondering if the bead is positioned close to the pilot, which is the reverse of how the gunsight was supposed to be used. I imagine such an installation would have caused sighting problems.

I'd appreciate any information to help me understand what seems to be a rather odd, and not very effective, gun sight installation.

MikeMeech · 11 July 2022, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buffnut453

I'm trying to work out how the pilot's ring-and-bead sight was installed. I found a couple of photos which show the ring installed left-of-centre, and mounted to the underside of the upper wing (the Aldis optical sight was normally right of centre).

I have 2 problems based on the images. Firstly, where is the bead part of the sight fitted? I can't make it out on either of the images but, for the 5in ring, it was supposed to be 38in forward. Secondly, the ring portion of the sight seems to be mounted a long way from the pilot. I'm actually wondering if the bead is positioned close to the pilot, which is the reverse of how the gunsight was supposed to be used. I imagine such an installation would have caused sighting problems.

I'd appreciate any information to help me understand what seems to be a rather odd, and not very effective, gun sight installation.

Hi

Looking at images of WW1 aircraft the position of the 'ring' at the muzzle end of the gun and the 'bead' closer to the pilot comes up on occasion and not only only Bristol Fighters. It is also seen on Sopwith Camels (eg. No. 3 Sqn. RFC/RAF during 1918), SE.5As and even Fokker D.VII types. I suspect if you go through a lot of images then it may be more common than thought. It may just be down to pilot preference.

Mike

Lufbery · 11 July 2022, 12:55 PM

I can't be 100% sure, but the part I circled looks like the bead for the ring and bead sight.

Buffnut453 · 11 July 2022, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeMeech

Hi

Looking at images of WW1 aircraft the position of the 'ring' at the muzzle end of the gun and the 'bead' closer to the pilot comes up on occasion and not only only Bristol Fighters. It is also seen on Sopwith Camels (eg. No. 3 Sqn. RFC/RAF during 1918), SE.5As and even Fokker D.VII types. I suspect if you go through a lot of images then it may be more common than thought. It may just be down to pilot preference.

Mike

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the response. To be honest, I hadn't looked at other aircraft types. I'll take your recommendation...but given the extent of your knowledge, I'm willing to take your statement at face value.

Kind regards,
Mark

Buffnut453 · 11 July 2022, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lufbery

I can't be 100% sure, but the part I circled looks like the bead for the ring and bead sight.

Hi Mike,

I think that's the metal frame for the windscreen. The few pics I've seen where the rear bead is visible on a Bristol shows it was fitted to the underside of the wing, probably fixed to the rear spar.

This pic from the Wingnut Wings website is one of the few that shows the rear bead clearly, just to the left of the wing-mounted compass.

Kind regards,
Mark