Felixstowe F.2A

John C. Porte had gained experience with modifying Curtiss H-4 flying boats for improved performance as the Felixstowe F.1. He had also designed the large three-engine Porte Baby. When he received a Curtiss H-12 "Large America", he began work on improving that impressive type, starting by replacing the H-12's inadequate 160hp Curtiss engines with 250hp Rolls-Royce Eagles. Lessons learned in improving the hydrodynamics of the F.1 were applied to the new plane and the hull was strengthened.

The result was the Felixstowe F.2 or Porte II. In production, the engines were replaced with more powerful Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engines and minor changes were made, and the plane was designated the Felixstowe F.2A. When it appeared in late 1917, it was clear this was a flying boat of outstanding qualities both on the water and in the air. The demand for the Eagle engines was high, and though 161 F.2As had been ordered by March 1918, only ten were in service. In May, an F.2A from Killingholme destroyed Zeppelin L.62.

The sturdiness of F.2s was attested by a fight in June 1918 when three F.2As took on fourteen enemy seaplanes, shooting down six while losing only one to a broken petrol pipe.

Beginning in September 1918, F.2As were built without the enclosed pilots' cabin, which improved both sight lines and speed. Sometimes this variant was known as the Felixstowe F.2B.

1:144 Scale

 * Shapeways: Decapod, wow (early), wow (late)
 * Metal+Resin kit:

1:350 Scale

 * Shapeways: Decapod