Marinens Flyfabrikk M.F.11 (163 F.350) - Captured by Germany during construction at the aircraft factory in Horten and completed with the intended new engine

Til_Dovre_Faller · October 29, 2024, 9:57am

M.F.11 (163 F.350)

PRIMARY ARMAMENT

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1x 7.92x57mm Light Colt M/29 Pilot’s machinegun

-Placement: Fixed forward firing
-Muzzle velocity: 770m/s (3300 atm pressure)
-Ammunition capasity: 250 rounds (1x belt)
-Manufacturer: Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk
-Constructor: Browning/Colt
2x1 7.92x57mm Light Colt M/29 Scout Machine Gun

-Placement: Double machinegun for the observer, backwards facing movable turret
-Muzzle velocity: 770m/s (3300 atm pressure)
-Ammunition capasity: 250 rounds (1x belt)
-Manufacturer: Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk
-Constructor: Colt

SECONDARY ARMAMENT

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4x 50 Kilogram bombs
or
2x 100 kilogram bombs

TECHNICAL DATA
Wingspan: 15.4m
Length: 11.7m
Loaded starting weight: 2850 kg
Eigne: 1x BMW 132A 715hp 9cylr single-row supercharged air-cooled radial engine

PERFORMANCE
Top speed: 235 Km/h
Cruise speed: 165 Km/h
Range: 785 Km
Time to altitude (575 Panther eigne):
1,000 Meter in 3 minutes 5 seconds
2,000 Mater in 7 minutes 7 seconds
3,000 Meter in 14 minutes

HISTORY
In the latter half of the 20s, it was necessary to look for an aircraft that could replace the Hansa Brandenburger W.33. The aircraft factory in Horten started investigations in 1927, and in 1930 it was possible to present alternatives where the factory’s own draft was attached, together with relevant aircraft types from England, France and the Netherlands. The Norwegian option was chosen. The navy wanted to be able to use existing aircraft sheds, so the wingspan had to be limited to 15.4 metres. This made it necessary to construct biplanes. In the autumn of 1931, the prototype, the F.300, was test flown. All requirements for performance and characteristics were satisfied, and the aircraft was approved for production. This became the workhorse of the Navy’s Air Force in the 1930s, right up to the invasion in 1940, and was in operation in all contexts along the entire coast up to Svalbard. The main bases were Horten, Kristiansand, Bergen; Skattøra by Tromsø and Vadsø. They gained a reputation as the most robust and reliable aircraft ever built for the Navy Air Force in Horten.

In 1939, the Norwegian Navy’s air force had decided that the planes should be upgraded with, among other things, new and more powerful engines, and it was therefore decided to purchase engines of the same type as the new torpedo bombers had (Heinkel He115N), these torpedo bombers then have a BMW 132N engine of 853 horsepower, but I am informed in the source that tells this that the engines that the M.F.11 was supposed to get were of the 132A model, which was claimed to produce between 800-1,000hp, but when I check the engine, this model emits 775 horsepower , so I take this as a starting point. The engine can be tuned as needed, but I’ll see if I can find more about it. In total, 8x BMW 132A were initially ordered from Germany, and the designer of this aircraft, Johan Høver, who was also in charge of the aircraft factory in Horten, has said that during the invasion of Norway on 9 April, there were 5 engines in Copenhagen waiting further transport towards Norway.

There were then 3 M.F.11s that were still under construction at the Hort, these were dismantled and stowed away in some hangars by the crew at the aircraft factory to prevent the Germans from using them, but they found these at a later time to complete them. In connection with this, the Germans installed a BMW 132A Engine in one of the planes, M.F.11 with tail number F.350. But I would say it is safe to assume that all 3 remaining aircraft under construction had this new engine fitted. Unfortunately, I cannot find information on whether any engines were delivered and installed before 9 April.

The armament on the aircraft should not have changed, and is the same as when they were under Norwegian service. also regarding the aircraft’s performance, with such a stronger engine, from the 575hp Armstrong Siddeley Panther IIA engine to a BMW 132A of 775 horsepower, one must be able to safely assume that both top speed and performance have improved considerably. Unfortunately, I can’t find any information about exact details regarding its performance, but i believe this can be calculated.

Picture of a BMW 132A Eigne

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