F.65

The Farman F.65 was a French multi‑engine biplane built by Farman Aviation Works in the early 1920s. Designed as a long‑range mail and passenger transport, the aircraft first flew in 1922 and entered limited commercial service with the French line Compagnie des Messageries Aériennes. Its airframe combined a conventional wood and fabric structure with a pair of 300 hp Farman 12Eb V‑12 engines mounted on the lower wings, giving a maximum speed of 190 km/h and a range of roughly 1,200 km. The F.65 featured a spacious enclosed cabin that could accommodate eight passengers or a comparable cargo load, as well as dual controls for pilot training. Innovative for its time, the aircraft employed a reinforced undercarriage with shock‑absorbing struts, allowing operation from rough airfields. Although only a handful were produced, the F.65 demonstrated the viability of twin‑engine biplanes for medium‑distance routes and helped establish Farman’s reputation for reliable transport designs. Its operational experience contributed to later advances such as the successful Farman F.70 series, marking an important step in the transition from wartime bombers to peacetime commercial aviation. One example stands on display at the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace in Paris, illustrating early interwar innovation.

Farman Aviation Works

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Design & Classification