Henry, Maurice and Dick were sons of British parents living in Paris. Henry ordered improved Voisin biplane 1908, but Voisins sold this to Moore-Brabazon. Farman so incensed he set up his own small aircraft works at Mourmelon, flying classic Farman III 6 April 1909, setting world records and winning orders. Subsequent H.F. (Henry Farman) and M.F. (Maurice Farman) designs made at different factories until Avions Henri (French spelling) et Maurice Farman opened joint factory at Billancourt January 1912, this swiftly becoming largest aircraft factory in France. Major wartime types included M.F.7 'Longhorn' and M.F.11 'Shorthorn' pusher biplane trainers, H.F.20 multirole pusher (about 3,220 built in 5 countries) and F.40 reconnaissance pusher. In immediate post-war years, along with aero engines and quality cars, Billancourt built F.50 bombers and F.60 Goliath series, latter being made in 21 versions covering over 69 airliners and over 300 military. In typical French style prototypes appeared in profusion, over 50 distinct Farman types flying between 1918 and nationalization of industry in 1936. They included many light transports and private machines, some made in substantial numbers, and from 1932 a series of giant high-wing monoplane bombers, later versions of which had landing gear retracting into underslung push/pull engine nacelles. One member of final 'Farman' family, an NC.223.4, made 2,000-mile flight to bomb Berlin by circuitous route 7/8 June 1940. Designation NC reflected firm's enforced nationalization into SNCA du Centre, brothers retiring.