JERO-Farman Type Militaire 1912

Single-engine two-seat observation aircraft

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   Four JERO-Farman type militaire 1912 à fuselage, also called "biplans de campagne" or field biplanes, constructed under license by the company "Ets Bollekens (JERO)" at Antwerpen were delivered between July 6th, 1912 and the end of August 1912. Ordered on March 11th, 1912, these aircraft equipped with a 70 hp Gnome rotary engine could reach a maximum speed of 105 km/h. Compared to the "Farman type militaire 1911 and Ecole", the JERO-Farman type militaire 1912 was much smaller and equipped with a fuselage, while still retaining the frontal stabiliser. In august 1912 the first trial sessions of a type militaire 1912 equipped with a Lewis machine gun took place at Brasschaat, a first in Europe. Four more aircraft were ordered which were powered with a 80hp Gnome engine (the 70hp Gnome being very troublesome) and had a slightly larger (and rounder) fuselage fuel tank, while the propeller moved to the back of the engine. To cope with the larger and heavier engine the undercarriage was slightly heightened, while the wings received extensions bringing total wingspan to 13,5 meters instead of the initial 12 meters. Because of this, new and larger triangular supporting masts were introduced on top of both wings. By the end of 1912 Bollekens was asked to upgrade the four initial machines to the same standards, but with the initial wingspan (12m) to remain unchanged. With the introduction of the JERO HF.20 and HF.23bis as of the summer of 1913 the JERO-Farman type militaire 1912 was gradually withdrawn from front-line service. Pictures reveal that most likely the registrations E I N° 1 to 4 and E II N° 1 to 4 were assigned to these aircraft. (E I or E II standing for Escadrille I or II) later on this aircraft received a sequential number. (D. Brackx - Ph. Doppagne)