M.F.11 Shorthorn

The M.F.11 Shorthorn, produced by the French firm Farman Aviation Works in the early 1930s, was a single‑engine, low‑wing monoplane designed primarily for maritime reconnaissance and light bombing. First flown in 1932, the aircraft entered service with the French Naval Aviation (Aéronautique Navale) and later saw limited export to the Greek and Belgian navies. Its most distinctive attribute was the short, stubby nose—hence the nickname ‘Shorthorn’—which housed a 720 hp Hispano‑Suiza 12Ybrs V‑12 engine and provided a clear forward view for pilots during low‑level sea patrols. The airframe featured all‑metal construction with a duralumin skin, retractable landing gear, and folding wings that reduced its deck footprint aboard warships. Armament comprised two forward‑firing 7.5 mm machine guns, a rear‑facing defensive gun, and up to 300 kg of bombs or depth charges. Although quickly eclipsed by more powerful twin‑engine scouts, the M.F.11 demonstrated the viability of carrier‑borne monoplanes and contributed to the development of later French naval aircraft such as the Bloch MB.174. Its operational record, though modest, underscored Farman’s transition from biplane tradition to modern, streamlined designs. The type remained in service until 1939, when newer models replaced it, leaving a legacy as a stepping stone toward more advanced carrier aircraft.

Farman Aviation Works

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Design & Classification