Marinens Flyvebaatfabrikk M.F.12

Marinens Flyvebaatfabrikk · Norway · first flew 1939 · light aircraft

The Marinens Flyvebaatfabrikk M.F.12, sometimes known as the Høver M.F.12 after its designer, was a seaplane built in Norway in 1939 as a military trainer. Only a single prototype was constructed.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	9.73 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Low, strut-braced monoplane wing
Two open cockpits in tandem
Floats from the American manufacturer EDO

A conventional trainer seaplane with a low strut-braced monoplane wing, two tandem open cockpits and a cockpit design carried over from the M.F.11 reconnaissance aircraft.

Specifications

The Marinens Flyvebaatfabrikk M.F.12 has a length of 9.73 m (32 ft).
It has a wingspan of 13.6 m (45 ft).
Its maximum speed is 195 km/h (121 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The Royal Norwegian Navy Air Service wanted a new trainer to replace the M.F.8, and the order was given to Marinens Flyvebaatfabrikk on 15 June 1937. The prototype was launched on 11 July 1939, when Johan E. Høver made an unofficial 20-minute flight, and the first official flight took place on 17 July.

Variants

Only one prototype was built. Four engines were considered: Wright R-670, Lycoming R-530-D2, Jacobs L-4M and Continental K; the Jacobs was chosen.

Where you'll see it

Development stalled after a rough landing during a flight test by the base commander, who demanded that the design be strengthened. Germany invaded Norway on 9 April 1940 before any conclusion, and the prototype was impounded by German forces.

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