Farman (Maurice) MF.11 (also called MF14 in Belgium)

Single engine twin seat Observation - Bomber aircraft and Trainer.

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     The Farman MF.11 was a development of the MF.7 pusher configuration observation/bomber aircraft from which it borrowed the general layout. However, the front elevator was omitted giving the pilot a much better forward vision (resulting in the English name “Shorthorn” compared to the “Longhorn”, indicating a MF.7). Also, the MF.11 had a single stabilizer and a pair of modernized twin rudders replacing the biplane horizontal box type tail surfaces. Some early models (also in Belgian wervice) still had the pilot sitting in front, but as the Observer/Gunner had to shoot his 7.7mm caliber Lewis machine gun very close to the pilot’s head this seating arrangement was reversed. The MF.11 could also carry 18 bomblets of 7,5 Kg under the wings.

     In February/March 1915 six new MF.11 aircraft powered by the 80 HP Renault engine (with cooler fan) were delivered to the Belgian Air Service. On 17 April 1915, Lt. Fernand Jacquet and Lt. Henri Vindevoghel shot down a German Albatros C-type (probably of MLFA 1) over Beerst (near Diksmuide), making it the first Belgian Air Service’s aerial victory. As of June, 15th 1915 another batch of 16 MF.11 aircraft was delivered (12 operational + 4 reserve aircraft). This second batch, constructed under license agreement by the Belgian company JERO Bollekens at Beau Marais (Calais, F.), was powered by the Renault 80hp engine with Zenith carburetor (without cooler fan). Operationally the MF.11 was used by N° I, II and III Squadron from Ten Bogaerde airfield (now Koksijde) as well as  N° IV and V Squadrons from Houtem. An overall total of 22 MF.11 aircraft was used by the Belgian Air Service. In Belgium the MF.11 was identified as the MF.14 (in analogy with the Farman designation “Type 1914”). It was planned by the Belgian Air Service that towards the end of 1915 and in order to cope with the low cruise and climbing speeds, all remaining Belgian MF.11’s were to receive a more powerful Renault 110 Hp or 130 Hp powerplant, but no confirmation could be found up to now.

     In frontline service Belgian Farman MF.11 aircraft only were identified by the French serial painted on the rudders while occasionally an individual Squadron level Roman or Arabic Serial number was allocated and painted on the fixed part of the rudders. (Known number are 1, 2 ,3, 7 and 8) With the arrival of the more powerful Maurice Farman MF.11bis the surviving MF.11 aircraft were transferred to the pilot Schools at Etampes (F.) and as of January 1st, 1918 at Juvisy-sur Orge (F.) while a small number was still used post war at the pilot School of Asch in Belgium. Initially the trainer-aircraft were identified by Roman numbers painted on the nose (known serials are VI to XIII) but towards the end of 1916 these were replaced by Arabic numbers (known numbers are 1, 2, 3, 8, 13, 16, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 27). (These registrations did not follow a type sequence but instead were a mixture of Maurice Farman models (FM.7bis, MF.11 and FM.11bis). At the Asch Pilot School, the remaining MF.11 trainers received a three-digit serial (known are 222, 223, 232 and 234). The last MF.11 trainers were withdrawn from us in the early twenties at Asch.

     A single Belgian Farman MF.11 is preserved for posterity at the Royal Army Museum (WHI) at Brussels while worldwide 4 other MF.11 aircraft are known to exist in Australia, Canada and Japan. (Daniel Brackx)