Maurice Farman Shorthorn to fly at Old Warden

[ZacYates]

From Facebook (link) and seemingly out of nowhere:

We are delighted to announce that the Maurice Farman MF.7 Longhorn will be making its public debut on static for our Fly Navy air show on Sunday. Introduced in 1913, the Longhorn was a French design developed before the First World War and was used by both the French and British air services in a reconnaissance role and eventually as a trainer. Currently being restored by Flying Restorations Ltd, this particular aircraft will be the only airworthy Longhorn in the world. Book your tickets now to see this rare and unique aircraft: www.shuttleworth.org/product/flynavy/

Maurice Farman MF.7 Longhorn 010722 via Shuttleworth by Zac Yates, on Flickr

A Shuttleworth photo from day's Fly Navy show:
Maurice Farman MF7 Longhorn Old Warden 040722 Shuttleworth FB by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Nigel Hitchman posted this on Facebook:

Lots of great flying displays, mostly with a Navy theme, but for me the undoubted highlight of the day was the first public appearance of the Farman MF.7 Longhorn, newly constructed to original drawings and methods and with an original Rolls Royce Hawk engine. Its mostly complete except covering and they hope to fly it next year, cant wait to see that!

I've seen mention that it includes a lot of original parts - what a stunning machine! Forgive me if I seem absent in days to come - I'll be cleaning up the mess from my mind exploding. And all the drool.

[ZacYates]

Some photos of the Longhorn by Stephen Bridgewater:
Maurice Farman MF7 Longhorn Old Warden 040722 Stephen Bridgewater 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Maurice Farman MF7 Longhorn Old Warden 040722 Stephen Bridgewater 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Maurice Farman MF7 Longhorn Old Warden 040722 Stephen Bridgewater 03 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Maurice Farman MF7 Longhorn Old Warden 040722 Stephen Bridgewater 04 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Maurice Farman MF7 Longhorn Old Warden 040722 Stephen Bridgewater 06 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

And more, by the aforementioned Nigel Hitchman:
Maurice Farman MF7 Longhorn Old Warden 040722 Nigel Hitchman 04 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Maurice Farman MF7 Longhorn Old Warden 040722 Nigel Hitchman 06 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Maurice Farman MF7 Longhorn Old Warden 040722 Nigel Hitchman 05 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Maurice Farman MF7 Longhorn Old Warden 040722 Nigel Hitchman 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Maurice Farman MF7 Longhorn Old Warden 040722 Nigel Hitchman 07 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Maurice Farman MF7 Longhorn Old Warden 040722 Nigel Hitchman 11 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Maurice Farman MF7 Longhorn Old Warden 040722 Nigel Hitchman 10 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Maurice Farman MF7 Longhorn Old Warden 040722 Nigel Hitchman 09 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Maurice Farman MF7 Longhorn Old Warden 040722 Nigel Hitchman 08 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Maurice Farman MF7 Longhorn Old Warden 040722 Nigel Hitchman 13 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Maurice Farman MF7 Longhorn Old Warden 040722 Nigel Hitchman 14 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Maurice Farman MF7 Longhorn Old Warden 040722 Nigel Hitchman 15 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Maurice Farman MF7 Longhorn Old Warden 040722 Nigel Hitchman 16 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Maurice Farman MF7 Longhorn Old Warden 040722 Nigel Hitchman 17 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Thank you Nigel and Stephen for permission to share their images.

Apparently the Rolls-Royce Hawk engine fited is #186 of 200 and it, too, will be the only airworthy example. What a gorgeous thing it is! No, you're beginning to obsess over it.

[nuuumannn]

Jul 5, 2022 12:07:58 GMT 12 ZacYates said:

Apparently the Rolls-Royce Hawk engine fited is #186 of 200 and it, too, will be the only airworthy example. What a gorgeous thing it is! No, you're beginning to obsess over it.

Wow, thanks for sharing those, Zac. I must'a missed those from Nigel. The Hawk engine is something of a rarity and was originally developed for airships, 75 hp, so not a lot of donk, nevertheless, that'll be something to see. From what I've read it didn't like being fitted to aeroplanes because of changes to rpm and so forth wore the engine out, as it was designed for constant rpm for long periods, ideal for maritime patrol airships. Aside from the SSZ airships, only a few aircraft were powered by it, BE.2 types mostly. There is a Hawk at MoTaT, which is a bit of a mystery.

[ZacYates]

Oct 18, 2022 9:38:09 GMT 12 nuuumannn said:

There is a Hawk at MoTaT, which is a bit of a mystery.

In light of the Farman news (apparently that engine is c/n186) I was most surprised to find said Hawk when I visited the Aviation Hall last week!
DSC_8181 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[nuuumannn]

Oct 20, 2022 0:28:44 GMT 12 ZacYates said:

Oct 18, 2022 9:38:09 GMT 12 nuuumannn said:

There is a Hawk at MoTaT, which is a bit of a mystery.

In light of the Farman news (apparently that engine is c/n186) I was most surprised to find said Hawk when I visited the Aviation Hall last week!
DSC_8181 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Yup, the caption on the display board states it was used by an Avro 504, which is slightly dubious as our aircraft were all 'K models with rotary radials, that is, unless one was retrofitted here in New Zealand? Hawks were predominantly built for airship use and were fitted to a small number of aeroplanes only as they were designed for operating at constant speeds. They didn't like rev changes too much. Some BE.2 types and Maurice Farmans received them, but at 75 hp they weren't very powerful.