Farman F.220

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farman_F.220

The Farman F.220 and its derivatives were thick-sectioned, high-winged, four
engined monoplanes from Farman Aviation Works. Based on the push-pull
configuration proven by the F.211, design started in August 1925 and the first
flight of the prototype was on 26 May 1932. The definitive F.222 variant was the
biggest bomber to serve in France between the world wars. One variant was
designed as an airliner.

After testing the sole F.220 prototype, Farman made a number of changes to the
design, including a new tail fin, fully enclosing the nose and ventral gunners'
positions, and changing from V-engines to radials. The first example of this
version, dubbed the F.221 flew in May 1933, and was followed by ten production
examples delivered to the Armee de l'Air from June 1936. These machines featured
hand-operated turrets for the three gunners' stations. Meanwhile, the prototype
F.220 was sold to Air France, where christened Le Centaur, it flew as a mail
plane on the South Atlantic route. This led to a batch of four similar aircraft
being built for the airline.

The F.222 variant began to enter service with Armee de l'Air in the spring of
1937. Unlike its predecessor, this plane featured a retractable undercarriage.
Twenty-four aircraft were produced with redesigned front fuselages and dihedral
added to the outer wing. During World War II these planes were used in leaflet
raids over Germany and then night bombing raids during May and June 1940. These
resulted in three losses.

The Farman F.222 was involved in a notable operation carried out by French
fighter pilot James Denis. On 20 June 1940, realising that the Battle of France
was lost, Denis borrowed a Farman F.222 from an airbase near
Saint-Jean-d'Angély. He flew to Britain with twenty of his friends, and joined
the Free French Air Force, in which service he subsequently became an ace,
shooting down nine German aircraft.


Role
Heavy bomber

National origin
France

Manufacturer
Farman Aviation Works

First flight
26 May 1932

Primary user
French Air Force

Produced
1935-1938

Number built
ca. 80

The F.223 (redesignated NC.223 when Farman was absorbed into SNCAC) incorporated
significant changes, including a twin tail and a considerably refined fuselage.
The first prototype was ordered as a long range mail plane and in October 1937
established a record by flying 621 miles with a 22,046 lb payload. The Ministere
d l'Air ordered a production run of 8 of the NC223.3 variation which was
commenced in 1939. A variant NC 223.4 Jules Verne of Naval Aviation French was
the first Allied bomber to raid Berlin: on the night of 7 June 1940 aircraft of
this variant dropped eight bombs of 250 kg and 80 of 10 kg weight on the German
capital. This operation, which was of a primarily psychological-warfare nature,
was repeated three days later.

The first NC 223.3 bombers were delivered on May 1940 and participated in night
bombing attacks on Germany before being transferred to North Africa in June
1940. The bombers were subsequently relegated to transport roles, seeing service
with both the Vichy regime and the Free French.

The F.224 was a dedicated civil variant able to seat 40 passengers. Six machines
were produced for Air France, but were ultimately rejected because the 224 could
not maintain altitude on three engines. The aircraft went on to serve in the
Armée de l'Air instead with a reduced payload.

Specifications (F.222/2)

General characteristics
Crew: 5
Length: 22.57 m (74 ft 1 in)
Wingspan: 35.65 m (117 ft 0 in)
Height: 6.38 m (20 ft 11 in)
Wing area: 184.6 m2 (1,987 sq ft)
Empty weight: 11,000 kg (24,251 lb)
Gross weight: 18,700 kg (41,226 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Gnome-Rhône 14N-11 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines,
690 kW (920 hp) each - (2 pusher and 2 tractor in tandem nacelles)
Propellers: 3-bladed variable-pitch metal propellers (2x tractor and 2xpusher)

Performance
Maximum speed: 360 km/h (220 mph, 190 kn) at 3,960 m (12,992 ft)
Cruise speed: 280 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn) at 3,960 m (12,992 ft)
Range: 2,200 km (1,400 mi, 1,200 nmi)
Service ceiling: 8,000 m (26,000 ft)
Time to altitude: 4,000 m (13,123 ft) in 13 minutes 30 seconds

Armament

Guns: three 7.5mm MAC 1934 manually aimed in nose turret, dorsal and ventral
positions
Bombs: 2,200 kg (4,850 lb) of bombs




*