Farman HF.30
Henri Farman · France · first flew 1916 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Farman HF.30 was a two-seat tractor biplane fighter prototype of 1916, notable as a deliberate break from the Farman company's long-established pusher layout. Only one aircraft was completed and it showed poor handling characteristics.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.2 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Pusher biplane with open crew nacelle and tail carried on booms — classic Farman layout
- Canton-Unné radial engine with deep-chord cowling
- Two-seat reconnaissance workhorse built in large numbers for Imperial Russia
An unusually large two-seat biplane for a fighter role, with equal-span wings giving it a notably wide planform. The tractor engine with a deep-chord cowl distinguishes it from Farman's more familiar pusher designs. The equal length and wingspan measurements suggest a nearly square planform.
Specifications
- The Farman HF.30 has a length of 9.2 m (30 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 15.8 m (52 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 155 km/h (96 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Henri Farman designed the HF.30 to compete with the tractor fighters then entering service, recognising that the pusher configuration imposed a speed penalty. The single prototype was modified twice in an attempt to cure its handling problems but was never accepted for production.
Variants
One prototype only; no production variants.
Where you'll see it
Never entered service; evaluated and rejected by the French military.
Related aircraft
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