Farman F.220

The Farman F.220, later known as the Bernard H.V.220 when built under license, was a four‑engine heavy bomber developed by the French firm Farman Aviation Works in the early 1930s. First flown in 1933, the aircraft featured a twin‑fuselage layout with a central nacelle housing the crew and defensive armament, and it was powered by four Hispano‑Suiza 12Ybrs liquid‑cooled V‑12 engines mounted on the wings. Its all‑metal construction, retractable landing gear, and a payload capacity of up to 2,000 kg made it one of the most advanced long‑range bombers of its era. The F.220 saw limited operational service with the French Air Force, primarily as a night bomber and later as a transport and VIP aircraft. Notably, a modified version set several speed and distance records, demonstrating the potential of multi‑engine designs. Although quickly eclipsed by newer monoplane bombers, the Farman F.220 contributed valuable experience in aerodynamic refinement, structural engineering, and crew coordination, influencing subsequent French aircraft such as the Bloch MB.150 series and informing interwar bomber development worldwide. After the fall of France, some surviving examples were captured and evaluated by the Luftwaffe, providing further insight into French heavy‑aircraft design principles.

Farman Aviation Works

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