Farman F.222

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F.222
Type	Heavy bomber
Manufacturer	Farman Aviation Works
Maiden flight	26 May 1932
Produced	1935-1938
Number built	24

The Farman F.222 was an experimental thick-sectioned, high-winged, heavy bomber from Farman Aviation Works. Its first flight was May 26, 1932. Design started in August 1935. It began to enter service with Armee de L'air in the spring of 1937. The final version, F.222.2, was built between 1937-38. This plane featured a retractable undercarriage. Twenty-four aircraft were produced with front fuselages and dihedral on the outer wing. The F.222 was the biggest bomber to serve in France between the world wars. During World War II these planes were used in leaflet raids over Germany and then night bombing raids during May and June of 1940. These resulted in three losses.

[edit] Operators

•  France : Armee de l'Air

[edit] Specifications (F.222)

General characteristics

• Crew: five or six
• Length: 21.5m (70 ft 4 in)
• Wingspan: 36.2m (118 ft 1 in)
• Height: 5.2m (17 ft)
• Wing area: 188 m2 (2,023.6 ft2)
• Empty weight: 10488 kg (23,122 lb)
• Loaded weight: 18700 kg (41,226 lb)
• Powerplant: 4× Gnome et Rhône 14-cylinder radials, 708 kW (950 hp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 320 km/h at 3960 m (199 mph at 13,000 ft)
• Cruise speed: 280 km/h at 3960 m (174 mph at 13,000 ft)
• Range: 1995 km (1,245 miles)
• Service ceiling: 8460 m (26,245 ft)
• Rate of climb: 473 m/min (1,552 ft/min)