Scratch-built 1/72 Farman 250

by Gabriel Stern

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I am always thrilled by the clunky but charming Farman designs. Their simplicity is not in any way a detriment to their beauty, furthermore, their somehow squarish lines look always harmonious and balanced.
The F-250 is not the exception, and although a (four) passenger carrier in "Limousine" style, its stance and proportions give the impression of a racy machine. One sole sample was built and went to the Societe Generale Transports Aeriennes -Sorry if I obviated the accents in the preceding words, but in order to add them I would have needed another half hour. So, the SGTA is from now on.

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Simplicity, we were saying, was Farman’s trademark, which in modeling terms generally translates as an easier building process. The only part that needed an extra effort was the bump on the upper fuselage deck, vacuformed in a snap over a Sculpey master (don’t you like when I make it sound easy?).
The interior followed a description in a Flight magazine article of the era. Colors were the source of animated and highly educated speculation at the Wings of Peace forum -thanks Alain!- until some very credible conclusions were reached.

I got after-market engine and wheels, both had to be touched-up: The engine required a specially convoluted exhaust arrangement and the wheels the fabrication of cone-shaped covers. A few details were added too: the Pitot tube, wind-driven generator, tail skid, Venturi and navigation lights. Home-made decals and a windshield completed the model.
 
These French know Charm.

Gabriel

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Photos and text © by Gabriel Stern