By Steve Beebee
News
Bristol F.2b Fighter reproduction ‘F4717’ made its first flight in around 40 years recently from Old Rhinebeck aerodrome, near New York.
It’s one of six built in the US by Vern Ohmert for the 1983 film The High Road to China. Although delays to production eventually led to other biplanes being used, it did ‘star’ in 1981’s Death Hunt. All of the six ‘Brisfits’ then entered storage in California before being rediscovered by Graham Orphan, who purchased four.
The fifth Bristol came to Old Rhinebeck and is now owned by Chris Prevost.
The reproduction represents F4717 of the RAF’s 2 (AC) Squadron, based at Manston in Ken t between 1924 and 1928. It’s powered by a 200hp Ranger 6-440-I engine.
