HOME | DD

Description
Brussels, June 7th 2018

A Maurice Farman MF.11A-2 'Shorthorn' observation aircraft of the Belgian Army stands on display in the Royal Museum of the Army and Military History in Brussels.

First flown in 1913, the 'Shorthorn' entered service in 1914, originally serving as a light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. As such, the type scored a number of noticable firsts, such as the first aerial attack against naval forces (by Imperial Japanese Navy Farman MF.11 floatplanes against the Austro-Hungarian cruiser SMS Kaiserin Elisabeth in September 1914), and the first bombing raid of the First World War (by Royal Naval Air Service aircraft against German artillery positions near Ostend, Belgium in December of 1914). However, with the appearance of the first dedicated German fighter planes in 1915 the Farman 'Shorthorn' became obsolete, and the type was withdrawn from frontline service in 1915. Following their withdrawal, the type saw continued use as a trainer type, serving into the early 1920s with some air forces.

The preserved Farman MF.11 is seen here in its original configuration, with the second crew member located behind the pilot. Later versions switched this, so the second crew member could man a machine gun in the nose position.

The Musée de l'Air at Le Bourget, Paris, France, holds a preserved example of the MF.11s predecessor in Belgian service: MF.7 'Longhorn' no.15 which previously served with the Belgian Army from 1914 to 1921.

Description
Brussels, June 7th 2018

A Maurice Farman MF.11A-2 'Shorthorn' observation aircraft of the Belgian Army stands on display in the Royal Museum of the Army and Military History in Brussels.

First flown in 1913, the 'Shorthorn' entered service in 1914, originally serving as a light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. As such, the type scored a number of noticable firsts, such as the first aerial attack against naval forces (by Imperial Japanese Navy Farman MF.11 floatplanes against the Austro-Hungarian cruiser SMS Kaiserin Elisabeth in September 1914), and the first bombing raid of the First World War (by Royal Naval Air Service aircraft against German artillery positions near Ostend, Belgium in December of 1914). However, with the appearance of the first dedicated German fighter planes in 1915 the Farman 'Shorthorn' became obsolete, and the type was withdrawn from frontline service in 1915. Following their withdrawal, the type saw continued use as a trainer type, serving into the early 1920s with some air forces.

The preserved Farman MF.11 is seen here in its original configuration, with the second crew member located behind the pilot. Later versions switched this, so the second crew member could man a machine gun in the nose position.

The Musée de l'Air at Le Bourget, Paris, France, holds a preserved example of the MF.11s predecessor in Belgian service: MF.7 'Longhorn' no.15 which previously served with the Belgian Army from 1914 to 1921.