Time Period: Pre-WW1, World War I
Country of Origin: France
Type: Biplane, Reconnaissance and Surveillance, Bomber Aircraft
Manufacturer: Farman Aviation Works
Farman MF.11 Aircraft Overview
The Farman MF.11 was a French reconnaissance and bomber aircraft developed by the Farman brothers in 1914, just before the outbreak of World War I. The aircraft was widely used by the French military during the war and played an important role in the early stages of aerial warfare.
The MF.11 had a wooden frame covered in fabric and was powered by a 100-horsepower Renault engine. It had a wingspan of 17 meters and a length of 10 meters. The aircraft was designed to carry bombs and could also be equipped with machine guns for defensive purposes.
The Farman MF.11 saw significant action during World War I, and it was used for reconnaissance, bombing, and artillery spotting missions. It was also used for training purposes and as a civilian transport aircraft.
Despite its limitations, the MF.11 was highly successful in its role and helped establish the Farman company as one of the leading aircraft manufacturers in the world. The aircraft also contributed to the rapid development of aviation technology during this period, and it served as a template for many future reconnaissance and bomber aircraft designs.
Overall, the Farman MF.11 was an important aircraft in the early history of military aviation and played a significant role in shaping the course of World War I.
Farman MF.11 Specifications
- Crew: 2 (pilot & observer/gunner)
- Length: 9.45 m (31 ft 0 in)
- Wingspan: 16.15 m (53 ft 0 in)
- Height: 3.18 m (10 ft 5 in)
- Wing area: 57 m2 (610 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 550 kg (1,213 lb)
- Gross weight: 928 kg (2,046 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Renault 8D V-8 air-cooled piston engine, 75 kW (101 hp)
- Propellers: 4-bladed fixed-pitch pusher propeller.
Farman MF.11 Performance
- Maximum speed: 106 km/h (66 mph, 57 kn)
- Endurance: 3 hours 45 minutes
- Service ceiling: 3,800 m (12,500 ft)
- Wing loading: 16 kg/m2 (3.3 lb/sq ft).
Farman MF.11 Armament
- Guns: 1 × 7.62 mm (0.30 in) machine gun
- Bombs: 18 × 7.3 kg (16 lb) bombs.
