French Aircraft with Red Cross Photo ID

[musec04]

Hello,


On ebay at :


https://www.ebay.de/itm/Foto-2-Westf...oAAOSwIKZdSxZD


is an image of a french aircraft with a red cross. I believe it may be a Farman F.403 see:


https://d551.skyrock.com/3182932901-FARMAN-403.html


Can anyone assist with the id and either confirm it is a Farman F.403 in the first link, or failing that id the machine shown.


TIA,


Clint

[Tom Willis]

Hi Clint
Yes certainly looks like a Farman F.403 - the Type was used as an ambulance aircraft

[musec04]

Hello Tom,


Thanks, it is good to have confirmation. I don't suppose you are aware of any of the prior civil registrations of the F.403s operated as ambulance aircraft by France in 1939/40?


Regards,


Clint

[Tom Willis]

Hi Clint
Sorry can't assist with that one as all of the Farman F.403s that I have seen (plus other impressed civil aircraft) have had their registrations obscured in the process. I can add that the location in the photo of the wrecked machine is Etampes.

[madaroums]

Hello Clint
The picture on your first link was probably taken at Etampes Air Base after France has surrendered.

It is not easy to find which of the F.403 served as air ambulance. What I know is when WWII began, the Air Force requisitioned a great part of the civilian aircraft.
All light aircraft owners received a convocation to allow a commission to judge if the plane was fit to carry out missions such as liaison (Potez 36 or 43 or 58), medical evacuation (Farman F.403 or 402) or school training (Caudron C.600 Aiglon, Caudron C.232 ...).
Best regards
Franck

[musec04]

Hello Tom and Franck,


Thanks for the info on Etampes as the location. I note that F-AOHR, a F.403 was based at B.A. 110 Etampes, though whether that is the machine shown in the link is, of course not possible to say.F-AOHR had crashed in October 1939, although I'm not aware of the level of damage incurred. Obviously if severe then the machine in the photo is unlikely to be F-AOHR.


Regards,


Clint