Farman F.60 Goliath

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farman_F.60_Goliath

The Farman F.60 Goliath was a French airliner and bomber produced by the Farman
Aviation Works from 1919. It was instrumental in the creation of early airlines
and commercial routes in Europe after World War I.

The Goliath was initially designed in 1918 as a heavy bomber capable of carrying
1,000 kg (2,200 lb) of bombs with a range of 1,500 km (930 mi). It was a
fixed-undercarriage three-bay biplane of fabric-covered wood construction,
powered by two Salmson Z.9 engines. It had a simple and robust, yet light
structure. The wings were rectangular with a constant profile with
aerodynamically balanced ailerons fitted to both upper and lower wings.

It was undergoing initial testing when World War I came to an end and Farman
realized there would be no orders for his design. Nonetheless he was quick to
understand that the big, box-like fuselage of the Goliath could be easily
modified to convert the aircraft into an airliner. Commercial aviation was
beginning to be developed and was in need of purpose-built aircraft. With the
new passenger cabin arrangement, the Goliath could carry up to 12 or 14
passengers. It had large windows to give the passengers a view of the
surroundings. The Salmson engines could be replaced by other types (Renault,
Lorraine) if a customer desired it. Approximately 60 F.60 Goliaths were built.
Between 1927 and 1929, eight Goliaths with various engines were built under
licence in Czechoslovakia, four by Avia and four by Letov.


Role
Airliner

National origin
France

Manufacturer
Farman Aviation Works

First flight
January 1919

Introduction
February 1919

Retired
c.1931

Number built
approx. 60

Farman was quick to press the Goliath into service and made several publicity
flights. On 8 February 1919, the Goliath flew 12 passengers from
Toussus-le-Noble to RAF Kenley, near Croydon. Since non-military flying was not
permitted at that date, Lucien Bossoutrot and his passengers were all
ex-military pilots who wore uniform and carried mission orders for the
circumstances. The flight went well, taking 2 hours and 30 minutes. The pilot
and passengers were well received in England. The return flight was made the
following day and took 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Other flights were made to publicize the Goliath. On 3 April 1919, 14 passengers
were flown to an altitude of 6,200 m (20,341 ft). Later, on 11 August 1919, an
F.60 flew eight passengers and a ton of supplies from Paris via Casablanca and
Mogador to Koufa, 180 km (110 mi) north of Saint-Louis, Senegal, flying more
than 4,500 km (2,800 mi).

Airlines, which were appearing very quickly all over Europe, were quick to
acquire the F.60. In 1920, the Compagnie des Grands Express Aériens (CGEA) began
scheduling regular flights between Le Bourget and Croydon. The Compagnie des
Messageries Aériennes (CMA) soon followed suit. The Société Générale de
Transports Aérien (SGTA) opened a Paris-Brussels route in July 1920, flown by
the Goliath. In May 1921, this route was extended to Amsterdam. Belgian airline
Société Nationale pour l'Etude des Transports Aériens (SNETA) also opened a
Brussels-London route in April 1921.

Specifications (F.60)

General characteristics
Crew: 2
Capacity: 12-14 passengers
Length: 14.33 m (47 ft)
Wingspan: 26.50 m (86 ft 11 in)
Height: 5.00 m (16 ft 5 in)
Wing area: 161 m² (1730 ft²)
Empty weight: 2500 kg (5,510 lb)
Useful load: 3000 kg (6,610 lb)
Loaded weight: 4770 kg (10,510 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Salmson Z.9 water-cooled radial engines, 312 kW (424 hp) or 260
hp (190 kW) each

Performance
Maximum speed: 140 km/h (87 mph)
Cruise speed: 120 km/h (75 mph)
Range: 400 km (250 mi)
Service ceiling: 4000 m (13,100 ft)