Farman F.40

The Farman F.40 was a French reconnaissance aircraft in which the experiences and developments of earlier prototypes of the Farman brothers were combined.

Development and construction:

At the beginning of the First World War, the Farman company was already using some F.20 aircraft as reconnaissance aircraft on the Western Front. Since these models were designed and built before the war, they were only designed for civilian use but not for military use. So it came about that shortly after the beginning of the war the brothers Henri and Maurice Farman designed further aircraft to meet the demands of the military and to be able to deliver the right aircraft.

The result was a reconnaissance aircraft that combined the positive properties of the previous types of aircraft HF.22 and MF.11. The aircraft presented under the designation F.40 had two wings of different lengths between which the nacelle was attached in a freely floating manner. The pilot and the observer sat in this one behind the other.

As usual in earlier models, a pusher propeller was also installed in the F.40, which brought an output of 135 HP and the aircraft to a top speed of 135 kilometers per hour.

Photo of the gondola of a Farman F.40

Photo of the gondola of a Farman F.40

Farman F.40 reconnaissance aircraft

Use in the First World War:

At the end of 1915, the introduction of the F.40 aircraft into the French squadrons began. In addition to France, Great Britain, Belgium, Russia and Italy also used these aircraft at the front.

Farman F.40 aircraft are assembled after transport on the Western Front

Farman F.40 aircraft are assembled after transport on the Western Front

These were mainly used as reconnaissance aircraft, but there were also attempts to equip the aircraft with rocket projectiles and thus to be able to combat ground targets. Due to the low effectiveness, the tests were discontinued after a short time.

A Farman F.40 with rocket projectiles for experimental purposes

A 1918 Farman F.40 reconnaissance aircraft

At the beginning of 1917, the planes used were withdrawn from the western front and replaced with more modern ones. The planes only remained on the secondary theaters of war until the end of the war. Some models were also used in the Italian colonies until the early 1920s.

Technical specifications:

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