Farman-XV, Farman

V.P.Poplavko in his armed Farman-XV (64k), "History of aircraft construction in the USSR" by V.B.Shavrov, Vol.1 p.146

First of Farman's in Russian service equipped with normal cockpit. Construction includes both wood (wings) and steel tube (tail booms) elements. Lower wing is much smaller than the upper one, outer panels supported by kingposts.

Designed as a reconnaissater in 1912. There were plans to protect it with armor, but large weight of this protection resulted in abandoning of armored Farman-XV. In 1913 V.P.Poplavko used this aircraft for first (in Russia) experiments with machinegun (Maxim) installation (see picture).

18 Farman-XV's were built at Dux factory, different from French built aircraft by slightly increased wingspan. Farman-XV did not find wide use, smaller and lighter Farman-XVI,XX,XXII were preferred by Russian aviators.

• "History of aircraft construction in the USSR", Vol.1 p.145;