Airworthy Bristol F.2 Fighter D8096, built in 1918 and now preserved and flown by the Shuttleworth Collection in the UK.
© Stuart H Bourne / Quality Aviation Photos International.
This high-resolution inflight photograph of Bristol F.2 Fighter D8096, taken by aviation photographer Stuart H. Bourne, showcases the aircraft’s elegant biplane structure and wartime legacy. The Bristol Fighter was a dual-role reconnaissance and combat aircraft during WWI, often flown in pairs to maximize its effectiveness. D8096 is one of the few surviving examples and remains a symbol of early air combat innovation.
Built in 1918, D8096 did not see active wartime service but was later operated by No. 208 Squadron in Turkey. It was eventually entrusted to the Shuttleworth Collection by the Bristol Aeroplane Company. Restored in 1952 and fully overhauled between 1980 and 1982, D8096 is now the only airworthy original Bristol Fighter in Europe. It continues to fly at public displays from Old Warden Aerodrome, offering a rare glimpse into the legacy of WWI aviation.
For more information about this aircraft and its flying schedule, visit the Shuttleworth Collection’s profile page: Bristol F.2 Fighter D8096 – Shuttleworth Collection.
