Farman F-68 Goliath

The Farman F‑68 Goliath, built by the French company Farman Aviation Works in the early 1920s, was one of the world’s first successful passenger airliners. Derived from the earlier bomber‑type F.60, the Goliath first flew in 1919 and entered commercial service in 1920 with the French airline Compagnie des Messageries Aériennes. Its high‑wing, twin‑engine biplane layout featured a wooden frame covered in fabric, a spacious enclosed cabin for up to 12 passengers, and a separate cockpit for the two pilots. Powered by two Renault 12F V‑12 engines delivering about 300 hp each, the aircraft could cruise at 115 km/h (71 mph) and had a range of roughly 700 km, allowing it to connect Paris with London, Brussels and other European hubs.

The Goliath’s reliability and comfort set a new standard for civilian air transport, demonstrating that long‑distance passenger service could be profitable. It pioneered regular scheduled flights, carried mail, and even performed pioneering trans‑Mediterranean and trans‑Atlantic experiments. Although quickly superseded by more modern monoplanes, the Farman Goliath remains a landmark in aviation history, symbolizing the transition from wartime bomber designs to peaceful commercial aviation.