Flight, January 1923

THE PARIS AERO SHOW 1922

H. AND M. FARMAN, BILLANCOURT (SEINE)

   OF the three machines exhibited by Farmans, the most interesting was, perhaps, the little cantilever monoplane two-seater touring 'bus. The large commercial machine, with a power expenditure of 600 h.p. for 8 passengers, would not appear to be very "commercial," and the bomber was of usual design, except that it was built entirely of metal. As, however, the gentleman in charge of the stand flatly refused our representatives permission to make any sketches, the detailed features of the construction could not have been shown in any case.
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   The Farman Commercial machine, as already mentioned, does not impress one as being a very "commercial" proposition, with its power expenditure of 600 h.p. for the transportation of but eight passengers. The machine is stated to have been designed for the new Farman 600 h.p. engine. With the exception that but one engine is fitted, in place of the usual two on the wings, the new machine hardly appears to differ from the "Goliath." It shows the same straight wings with sawn-off ends, and the same rectangular flat-sided fuselage. The dimensions may vary slightly, but in general appearance the machine, except for the change in power plant arrangement, is to all intents and purposes a "Goliath." The cabin is most luxuriously equipped, and folding tables are provided for each of the eight passengers. The seats can even be pulled out to make couches on which the weary passengers, if there be not too many of them, may rest full length. As, however, the amount of fuel carried is only sufficient for 5 hrs., this should scarcely be necessary, and a sounder plan might have been to arrange for carrying another five or six passengers.
   The main characteristics of the machine are :- Length, 15 ms. (49 ft. 3 ins.); span, 25.3 ms. (83 ft.); area, 150 sq. ms. (1,615 sq. ft.); weight, empty, 3,000 kgs. (6,600 lbs.); fuel for 5 hrs. 620 kgs. (1,365 lbs.); useful load (pilot, mechanic and 8 passengers), 960 kgs. (2,110 lbs.); total loaded weight, 4,580 kgs. (10,000 lbs.); power loading, 16.6 lbs./h.p.; wing loading, 6-2 lbs./sq. ft.; speed 180 kms. (112 miles) per hour.