Farman F.31

F.31
Role	Fighter
National origin	France
Manufacturer	Farman
Designer	Henry Farman
First flight	Summer 1918
Number built	1

The Farman F.31 was a French fighter prototype of the 1910s, the second foray into fighter design by Farman, a firm more usually associated with bombers. The project was short-lived, lasting only 3 months.

Development

The F.31 was a two-seat fighter, designed around the Liberty 12 engine. It was exceptionally angular, and equi-span with the fuselage mounted between its two bays.

Operational history

The sole prototype was completed and first flown in summer 1918. Testing was still ongoing in November 1918, when the Armistice put an end to the project and no further development continued.

Specifications

Data from Green & Swanborough, page 202

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 7.35 m (24 ft 1 in)
• Wingspan: 11.76 m (38 ft 6 in)
• Height: 2.58 m (8 ft 9 in)
• Empty weight: 869 kg (1916 lb)
• Gross weight: 1469 kg (3239 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Liberty 12 12-cylinder water-cooled engine, 298 kW (400 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 215 km/h (134 mph)

Armament

• 2 × fixed forward-firing .303 in Vickers gun
• 1 × rear-mounted swivelling .303 in Lewis gun