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Aquilius · 4 July 2009, 06:39 AM

Are we looking here at an aircraft opperated by the British in Africa?

In Early 1916 the No.26 “Springbok” Squadron of the RFC that was part of the SAAC was located at Mombasa (Kenya) doing photo-reconnaissance and railway-bonbing missons in East Africa. They had obtained six Farman HF.27’s via the Admiralty and Major General van der Spuy directly from the Farman factory in Buc, France.

Always connected to them in literature is the mention of another RNAS group (No.7 Sqn) that operated from Mafia Island (Tanzania) in the same time. They were flying two Voisin-Farman’s, or sometimes called Voisin-Farman III and two Caudron G 3. They ended their mission after sinking the german steamer “Königsberg” in the Rufiji Delta in July 1916.
After two were lost quickly one of each was servicable only. I haven’t found an exactly type designation for these ”Voisin-Farman’s” that are also named ”Henri Farman’s” sometimes.

I can’t believe the RNAS was using 1909-models in wartime and then in the tropics.
But here the all-steel-tubed HF.27 with Salmson C-U radial engine had proved it’s reliability in 1915. It was already outdated this time even though the Salmson engine could improve it’s performance. Voisin-type Farman fits perfectly a characterisation of the HF.27.
In Britain Airco and Grahame-White licence built a range of Farman aircraft. Airco didn’t allotted own designations to them and I’m missing a few G-W numbers. Could it be one of them? How about type 16 or type 17?

I’m sorry, but I’m still sticking on the Farman HF.27.
The donwnward moving tailbooms, the cocpit-nacelle, wings, struts, and the position of the undercarriage is too obvious. And as longer as I look at the picture I see upright side-radiators for the Salmson engine and even the wheel suspension fits…
Not to talk about the rudder.

@AROTH:

If I’m right (what I don’t think), you can try your luck with Caudron G.3 for beeing the aircraft from what the shot was taken.

But I believe from the wing position it is rather a pusher of the same kind (equal span, 3-bay).

Cheers

Aquilius

4 July 2009, 06:39 AM	#67 (permalink)
Aquilius Forum Ace Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mühlhausen Posts: 804	*Are we looking here at an aircraft opperated by the British in Africa?* In Early 1916 the No.26 “Springbok” Squadron of the RFC that was part of the SAAC was located at Mombasa (Kenya) doing photo-reconnaissance and railway-bonbing missons in East Africa. They had obtained six Farman HF.27’s via the Admiralty and Major General van der Spuy directly from the Farman factory in Buc, France. Always connected to them in literature is the mention of another RNAS group (No.7 Sqn) that operated from Mafia Island (Tanzania) in the same time. They were flying two Voisin-Farman’s, or sometimes called Voisin-Farman III and two Caudron G 3. They ended their mission after sinking the german steamer “Königsberg” in the Rufiji Delta in July 1916. After two were lost quickly one of each was servicable only. I haven’t found an exactly type designation for these ”Voisin-Farman’s” that are also named ”Henri Farman’s” sometimes. I can’t believe the RNAS was using 1909-models in wartime and then in the tropics. But here the all-steel-tubed HF.27 with Salmson C-U radial engine had proved it’s reliability in 1915. It was already outdated this time even though the Salmson engine could improve it’s performance. Voisin-type Farman fits perfectly a characterisation of the HF.27. In Britain Airco and Grahame-White licence built a range of Farman aircraft. Airco didn’t allotted own designations to them and I’m missing a few G-W numbers. Could it be one of them? How about type 16 or type 17? I’m sorry, but I’m still sticking on the Farman HF.27. The donwnward moving tailbooms, the cocpit-nacelle, wings, struts, and the position of the undercarriage is too obvious. And as longer as I look at the picture I see upright side-radiators for the Salmson engine and even the wheel suspension fits… Not to talk about the rudder. @AROTH: If I’m right (what I don’t think), you can try your luck with Caudron G.3 for beeing the aircraft from what the shot was taken. But I believe from the wing position it is rather a pusher of the same kind (equal span, 3-bay). Cheers Aquilius Last edited by Aquilius; 4 July 2009 at 08:08 AM.