Developed from a mix of the Maurice Farman-designed MF.11 and the Henry Farman-designed HF.22, the F.40 (popularly called the Horace Farman) had an overall smoother crew nacelle. An open tail boom truss supported a horizontal tailplane and a curved fin. The aircraft went into production in 1915.
Operational history
Forty French Air Forceescadrilles (squadrons) were equipped with F.40s. They operated for just over a year, but were replaced in early 1917.
Italian aircraft maker Savoia-Marchetti built F.40s for use by the police force until 1922.
Variants
Data from:French aircraft of the First World War[1]
F.40
2-seat reconnaissance aircraft with 130 hp (97 kW) Renault 130 hp, 17.59 m (57.7 ft) span.
F.40
2-seat reconnaissance aircraft with 130 hp (97 kW) De Dion-Bouton 12B, 17.59 m (57.7 ft) span.
F.40H
2-seat seaplane trainer with 130 hp (97 kW) Renault 130 hp, 17.67 m (58.0 ft) span.
F.40bis
2-seat reconnaissance aircraft with 160 hp (120 kW) Renault 8Gc, 17.59 m (57.7 ft) span.
F.40ter
2-seat reconnaissance aircraft with 150 hp (110 kW) Lorraine 8A, 17.59 m (57.7 ft) span.
F.40 QC
2-seat reconnaissance aircraft with 130 hp (97 kW) Renault 130 hp, 17.59 m (57.7 ft) span and elongated tail.
F.40P
adaption to fire Le Prieur rockets
F.41
2-seat reconnaissance aircraft with 80 hp (60 kW) Renault 8B, 16.32 m (53.5 ft) span.
F.41 H
2-seat seaplane with 80 hp (60 kW) Renault 8B, 16.32 m (53.5 ft) span.
F.41bis
2-seat reconnaissance aircraft with 110 hp (82 kW) Lorraine 6AM, 16.32 m (53.5 ft) span.
F.41bis H
2-seat seaplane with 110 hp (82 kW) Lorraine 6AM, 16.32 m (53.5 ft) span.
F.1,40
2-seat trainer powered by an 80 hp (60 kW) Renault 8B, 17.67 m (58.0 ft) span.
F.1,40bis
2-seat floatplane trainer powered by a 110 hp (82 kW) Lorraine 6AM, 17.67 m (58.0 ft) span.
F.1,40bis
2-seat trainer powered by a 160 hp (120 kW) Renault 8C, 17.67 m (58.0 ft) span.
F.1,40
2/3-seat trainer powered by a 130 hp (97 kW) Renault 130 hp, 17.67 m (58.0 ft) span.
F.1,40ter
2-seat trainer powered by a 160 hp (120 kW) Lorraine 8Aby, 17.67 m (58.0 ft) span.
F.1,41
2-seat trainer powered by a 80 hp (60 kW) Renault 8B, 16.39 m (53.8 ft) span.
F.1,41 H
2-seat floatplane trainer powered by a 80 hp (60 kW) Renault 8B, 16.39 m (53.8 ft) span.
F.1,46
2-seat dual-control trainer powered by a 80 hp (60 kW) Renault 8B, 17.67 m (58.0 ft) span.
F.2,41
2-seat trainer powered by a 275 hp (205 kW) Lorraine 8Bd, 17.67 m (58.0 ft) span.
Army type numbers
The French Army applied type numbers to aircraft types in service. Initially these were used in a similar fashion to individual serial numbers, later used to denote similar aircraft types.
Cony, Christophe (July 1997). "Aviateur d'Observation en 14/18 (deuxième partie)" [Observation Aircraft of 14/18]. Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire (in French) (52): 10–15. ISSN1243-8650.
Davilla, Dr. James J.; Soltan, Arthur M. (January 2002). French Aircraft of the First World War. Flying Machines Press. pp. 233–244. ISBN1891268090.
Donald, David (1997). "Farman F.40". The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Prospero Books. p. 399. ISBN1-85605-375-X.
Klaauw, Bart van der (March–April 1999). "Unexpected Windfalls: Accidentally or Deliberately, More than 100 Aircraft 'arrived' in Dutch Territory During the Great War". Air Enthusiast (80): 54–59. ISSN0143-5450.
Liron, Jean (1984). Les avions Farman. Collection Docavia. Vol. 21. Paris: Éditions Larivière. OCLC37146471.
Further reading
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Farman F.40.