Maurice Farman S.11 Shorthorn

Like many early First World War aircraft, the Shorthorn is a pusher with the engine in the rear of the nacelle. Designed and first flown in France, the Shorthorn was adopted by the air forces of Australia, Belgium, Britain, France, Italy, and Russia. It was manufactured under licence in Britain and Italy. During its early war service in reconnaissance and light bombing, the Shorthorn carried no defensive armament. It was later relegated to training duties. The Shorthorn retired from RAF service in 1918.

This aircraft was called the Shorthorn because it lacked the distinctive forward elevator of the Farman S.7 Longhorn. The pusher configuration, with the pilot well forward of the wings, was ideal for observation and bombing. The crew had to be careful not to allow loose objects to fly from the cockpit into the propeller. The Shorthorn configuration could be dangerous in an accident because the engine was liable to hurtle forward and injure the crew.

First World War Exhibition, Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Purchase

Manufactured by Aircraft Manufacturing Company (Airco) for the Royal Flying Corps in 1915–1916, this Shorthorn is one of four that were sent to Australia in 1917 for flight training. It was used for this purpose at Point Cook until 1919, when it was sold as surplus. In storage throughout the 1930s, the aircraft was restored and made airworthy in the 1950s. In 1956, American stunt pilot Frank Tallman purchased it and flew it in California. The aircraft was owned by two aviation museums in later years, before this Museum bought it at auction in 1981.