Farman F.120

File:Farman_F.121_interior_photo_NACA_Aircraft_Circular_No.15.png

During the early 1920s, the Aero Club of France set out numerous rules and regulations for its commercial airplane contest of 1923. Shortly following their issuing, Farman set about the designing of a new commercial aircraft that would, so far as reasonably possible, entirely fulfil these regulations; they had been judged to be of importance of the prospective aircraft's market appeal as various aerial-navigation companies had, formally or otherwise, adopted these regulations as requirements for their own needs. Additionally, the company's design team pursued several other ambitions, including high reliability levels, good onboard comfort levels, favourable flying characteristics, while also being as economically efficient as possible.NACA 1926, p. 1.

The F.121 or F.3X was the first version to fly, with four 180 hp Hispano-Suiza 8Ac V8 engines mounted in tandem push-pull pairs mounted on stub wings, however, this arrangement caused cooling problems for the rear engines and the F.120/F.4X version followed shortly afterwards, powered by three 300 hp Salmson Az.9 radial engines. Development continued and a single F.122, modified from an F.4X, was powered by a pair of 400 hp Lorraine 12Db engines. Two military versions were also built, the F.123 with two 450 hp Hispano-Suiza 12Hb V12s, or F.124 with two 420 hp Gnome et Rhône 9Ad Jupiter radial engines.

The Farman F.120 was a multi-engine multirole monoplane aircraft. It was relatively well-furnished for the era, being able to routinely conduct night flights via equipment such as searchlights, landing flares, position lights, and general illumination. Various passenger conveniences were present, including individual electric heaters and relatively large glass windows for the passengers to view the landscape below. The electricity, used by the radio set, illumination, and heating, was supplied from wind-driven generators using compact propellers that could be drawn inside the fuselage when not in use. In comparison to most contemporarily aircraft, the aircraft possessed greater manoeuvrability, possessed relatively high stability, ease of handling, and was relatively easy to land.NACA 1926, p. 4.

Dependent on the variant of the aircraft, as many as four engines could be installed. No significant structural changes were required for those aircraft equipped with a different number of engines, such as the trimotor and twin-engined variants. Mid-flight access to the engine was provided via special doors, permitting inspection and even minor repairs to be performed by the crew. The four-engined model of the aircraft had sufficient power that it could still consistently climb even with a single engine out; even the twin-engined model could maintain stable flight on only a single operational engine. The main fuel tanks were housed within the wing, relatively far from the engines; up to two auxiliary fuel tanks could be installed within the engine nacelles, and would operate independently of the main tanks.NACA 1926, pp. 3-4. The aircraft possessed relatively high fuel efficiency for the era.NACA 1926, pp. 4-5.

The F.120 was equipped with a relatively thick wing, possessing a span of 19 m (62.34 ft.) and a chord of 6 m (19.68 ft.) at its centre.NACA 1926, pp. 1-2. Both the thickness and the chord of the wing decrease towards the tips. The supporting framework of the wing was entirely enclosed. Both the spars and struts formed V-shaped girders on either side of the fuselage. The undercarriage consists of two main wheels that were supported by a pair of vertical V-shaped members that joined with oblique steel tubing to connective with the base of the fuselage.NACA 1926, p. 2.

The fuselage was internally divided into various sections; the foremost section contained the baggage compartment along with, after which and just forward of the wing, the cockpit. This cockpit provided two

seats for its crew, typically comprising one pilot and an assistant. The centre of the fuselage was occupied by the passenger compartment, which had sufficient space for up to 12 passengers to travel on comfortab1e seats even with a central isle. To the rear of the fuselage was the navigator's room, which was fairly sizable and provisioned with then-modern instrumentation, including a drift meter, compass, radio set, work table and map holder; adjacent to this room was the lavatory.NACA 1926, pp. 2-3. Primary access to the interior was via a single sliding door, while multiple exits were provided across the aircraft to aid in emergency egress.NACA 1926, p. 3.

On account of having an entirely unobstructed fuselage base, it was relatively straightforward to convert the aircraft into an armed military configuration, such as that of a bomber or a torpedo plane. Furthermore, its speed and manoeuvrability were sufficient that it could realistically engage in aerial combat despite its carriage of relatively heavy bomb loadouts. The presence of multiple independent engines and its reliability meant that the aircraft could be realistically used over the sea.NACA 1926, p. 6.

Despite being most commonly seen in lists of ugliest aircraft,{{citation needed|date=March 2024}} following its first flight in 1923, the F.120 won a French airliner competition, the 1923 Grand Prix des Avions de Transports and its 500,000 francs first prize, before seeing service with several European airlines.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

The F.120 was capable of carrying up to nine passengers, and served on Farman airline's route Paris-Brussels-Amsterdam, but also with Danish Air Lines between Copenhagen and Amsterdam. They served until the late 1920s.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

File:Farman F.4X F-AHAF CIDNA Dübendorf - LBS SR02-10182 (rotate, tight crop, contrast).jpg at Dübendorf airfield near Zürich, circa 1925.]]

File:Farman F.3bis F-ESAS L'Aéronautique December 1924.jpg

File:Farman_F.123_L'Aéronautique_October,1926.jpg

;F.120: A single engined biplane bomber, powered by a {{convert|370|hp|kW|abbr=on|disp=flip}} Lorraine 12Da engine. First flown in 1924, only two F.120 bombers were built.{{cite web |last1=Parmentier |first1=Bruno |title=Farman F-120 |url=https://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=4674&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=501&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF= |website=Aviafrance |access-date=21 February 2018 |location=Paris |language=fr |date=1 January 1997}}

;F.4X: The original designation of the F.120 Jabiru

;F.120 Jabiru: Four transport monoplanes powered by 3x {{convert|300|hp|kW|abbr=on|disp=flip}} Salmson 9AZ water-cooled radial engines.{{cite web |last1=Parmentier |first1=Bruno |title=Farman F-120 'Jabiru'|url=https://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=1530&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=501&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF=|website=Aviafrance |access-date=21 February 2018 |location=Paris |language=fr |date=1 January 1997}}

;F.3bis: A twin engined transport aircraft powered by 2x {{convert|400|hp|kW|abbr=on|disp=flip}} Lorraine 12Db engines, 1 built.{{cite web |last1=Parmentier |first1=Bruno |title=Farman F-3bis |url=https://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=9224&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=501&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF= |website=Aviafrance |access-date=21 February 2018 |location=Paris |language=fr |date=1 January 1997}}

;F.3X: The original designation of the F.121 Jabiru prototype.{{cite web |last1=Parmentier |first1=Bruno |title=Farman F-3x 'Jabiru' |url=https://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=6946&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=501&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF= |website=Aviafrance |access-date=21 February 2018 |location=Paris |language=fr |date=1 January 1997}}

;F.121 Jabiru: Nine transport aircraft powered by 4x {{convert|180|hp|kW|abbr=on|disp=flip}} Hispano-Suiza 8Ac engines, one also modified from a F.120 Jabiru.

;F.122: A single transport aircraft powered by 2x {{convert|400|hp|kW|abbr=on|disp=flip}} Lorraine 12Db engines.{{cite web |last1=Parmentier |first1=Bruno |title=Farman F-122 |url=https://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=6498&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=501&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF= |website=Aviafrance |access-date=21 February 2018 |location=Paris |language=fr |date=1 January 1997}}

;F.123: A single three-seater bomber powered by 2x {{convert|400|hp|kW|abbr=on|disp=flip}} Hispano-Suiza 12Hb engines.{{cite web |last1=Parmentier |first1=Bruno |title=Farman F-123 |url=https://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=6497&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=501&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF= |website=Aviafrance |access-date=21 February 2018 |location=Paris |language=fr |date=1 January 1997}}

;F.124: A single three-seater bomber powered by 2x {{convert|420|hp|kW|abbr=on|disp=flip}} Gnome et Rhône 9Ad Jupiter engines.{{cite web |last1=Parmentier |first1=Bruno |title=Farman F-124 |url=https://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=6496&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=501&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF= |website=Aviafrance |access-date=21 February 2018 |location=Paris |language=fr |date=1 January 1997}}

;{{DNK}}

• Danish Air Lines

;{{FRA}}

• Farman airlines

File:Farman_F.121_3_view_NACA_Aircraft_Circular_No.15.png

{{Aircraft specs

|ref= Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1928,{{cite book |title = Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1928 |editor1-last = Grey |editor1-first = C.G. |year = 1928 |publisher = Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd |location = London, UK |page = 100c}} Aviafrance: Farman F-121{{cite web |last1=Parmentier |first1=Bruno |title=Farman F-121 'Jabiru', avion de transport civil par Aviafrance |url = https://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=1529&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=501&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF= |website=aviafrance.com |access-date=21 February 2018 |location=Paris, France |language=fr |date=1 January 1997}}

|prime units?= met

|crew= 2

|capacity=12-19 pax

|length m= 13.92

|span m= 19

|height m= 4.48

|wing area sqm= 81

|aspect ratio=

|airfoil=

|empty weight kg= 3,404

|gross weight kg= 5,220

|max takeoff weight kg=

|max takeoff weight lb=

|max takeoff weight note=

|fuel capacity= {{cvt|1000|L|USgal impgal}}

|more general=

|eng1 number= 4

|eng1 name= Hispano-Suiza 8Ac

|eng1 type= V-8 water-cooled piston engines

|eng1 hp= 180

|prop blade number= 2

|prop name= fixed pitch propellers

|prop dia m=

|prop dia ft=

|prop dia in=

|prop dia note=

|max speed kmh= 209

|max speed note= at sea level

::::::{{cvt|201|km/h|mph kn}} at {{cvt|2000|m}}

::::::{{cvt|192|km/h|mph kn}} at {{cvt|3000|m}}

|cruise speed kmh= 175

|stall speed kmh=

|stall speed mph=

|stall speed kts=

|stall speed note=

|never exceed speed kmh=

|never exceed speed mph=

|never exceed speed kts=

|never exceed speed note=

|minimum control speed kmh=

|minimum control speed mph=

|minimum control speed kts=

|minimum control speed note=

|range km= 750

|ferry range km=

|ferry range miles=

|ferry range nmi=

|ferry range note=

|endurance=

|ceiling m= 4,250

|g limits=

|roll rate=

|climb rate ms=

|climb rate ftmin=

|climb rate note=

|time to altitude={{cvt|1000|m}} in six minutes and 16 seconds

::::::{{cvt|2000|m}} in 14 minutes and 14 seconds

::::::{{cvt|3000|m}} in 26 minutes and 11 seconds

::::::{{cvt|4000|m}} in 37 minutes and 22 seconds

|wing loading kg/m2=61.8

|fuel consumption kg/km=

|fuel consumption lb/mi=

|power/mass={{cvt|0.0654|hp/lb|kW/kg|order=flip}}

|more performance=

}}

The american baggage manufacturer Tom Bihn has long used a Farman F.121 Jabiru in its logo.{{Cite web |url = http://www.tombihn.com/FAQS.html#faqadd1 |title = TOM BIHN - Travel Bags - Laptop Bags - Backpacks - Totes}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |last1 = Liron |first1 = Jean |title = Les avions Farman |year = 1984 |publisher = Éditions Larivière |location = Paris, France |oclc = 37146471 |series = Collection Docavia |volume = 21}}
• [https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19930089068 "The Farman Commercial Airplane "Jabiru."] National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, 1 September 1926. NACA-AC-15, 93R18358.

{{commons category multi|Farman F.121|Farman F.4X|Farman F.3bis}}

• [http://www.europeanairlines.no/farman-f-121-jabiru-in-danish-service Farman F.121 Jabiru in Danish service]

{{Farman aircraft}}

Category:1920s French airliners

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Category:Four-engined push-pull aircraft

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1923

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