| Albatros | |
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HW100 - 45000
UAW55 - 105000 RRW100 - 175000 PKRR - 7500 |
Albatros / Albatros Flugzeugwerke Albatros Flugzeugwerke Industry - Aircraft manufacturer Founded - 1909; 115 years ago in Johannisthal, Prussia, Germany Defunct - 1931 Fate - Merged Successor - Focke-Wulf Headquarters - Johannisthal, Germany Key people - Dr. phil. Enno Walther Huth / Ernst Heinkel / Rudolf Schubert / Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Walter Blume / Lothar Wieland Products - Aircraft Albatros Flugzeugwerke GmbH was a German aircraft manufacturer best known for supplying the German Luftstreitkräfte during World War I. The company was based in Johannisthal, Berlin, where it was founded by Walter Huth and Otto Wiener on December 20, 1909. The company (and its subsidiary, Ostdeutsche Albatros Werke (OAW)) produced many capable fighter aircraft, notably the Albatros D.III and Albatros D.V, both designed by Robert Thelen. The Albatros merged into Focke-Wulf in 1931. History The company was founded in Berlin-Johannisthal in late 1909 by Enno Walther Huth as the Albatros Werke AG. The first aircraft the company produced was a French Antoinette monoplane, which they built under licence. They then produced several versions of the Etrich Taube monoplane, as well the Doppeltaube biplane which used the same basic planform. A variety of other biplanes, with more conventional wing planforms were also built and flown. In 1912, five Albatros F-2 were built. This was a development of the French Farman III biplane (hence the letter F) with a gondola for the crew and an Argus in-line engine instead of the original Gnome Omega rotary engine. Four were sold to Bulgaria where they took an active part in the 1912-1913 Balkan wars. On October 16, 1912, one of these carried out the first combat mission over Europe. During World War I, Albatros Flugzeugwerke produced about 10,300 aircraft, including fighters, bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. After the war, production of various civilian types was carried out. Aircraft Company Designations - Idflieg/RLM Designations - First flight - Number built - Type Taube - n/a - _ - _ - Reconnaissance Doppeltaube - n/a - 1910 - _ - Reconnaissance L.1 - B.I - 1913 - _ - Reconnaissance L.2 - B.II - 1914 - _ - Reconnaissance L.3/GDD - n/a - 1914 - 6 - Single-seat reconnaissance L.4 - G.I - 1916 - 1 - Bomber L.5/LDD - B.III - 1917 - _ - Reconnaissance L.6 - C.I - 1915 - 629 ca. - Reconnaissance L.7 - C.I - 1915 - qv L.6 - Reconnaissance L.8 - C.II - 1916 - _ - Reconnaissance L.9/ME - n/a - _ - _ - Single-seat reconnaissance L.10 - C.III - 1915 - 2271 ca. - Reconnaissance L.11 - G.II - 1916 - 1 - Bomber L.12 - C.IV - 1916 - 1 - Reconnaissance L.13 - C.I - 1915 - _ - Reconnaissance L.14 - C.V - 1916 - 400 ca. - Reconnaissance L.15 - D.I - 1916 - 50 - Fighter L.16 - C.III - 1915 - qv L.10 - Reconnaissance L.17 - D.II - 1916 - 291 - Fighter L.18 - C.VII - 1916 - 600+ - Reconnaissance L.19 - C.VIII N - 1917 - 1 - Night bomber L.20 - D.III - 1916 - 1,866 - Fighter L.21 - G.III - 1916 - 9+ - Bomber L.22 - D.IV - 1917 - 3 - Fighter L.23 - C.IX - 1917 - _ - Reconnaissance L.24 - D.V & D.Va - 1917 - 2500 ca. - Fighter L.25 - C.X - 1917 - 300+ - Reconnaissance L.26 - C.XI - n/a - 0 - Reconnaissance project L.27 - C.XII - 1917 - _ - Reconnaissance L.28 - D.VI - 1917 - 1 - Fighter L.29 - C.XIII - 1917 - 1 - Two-seat fighter L.30 - B.II - 1914 - _ - Trainer L.31 - C.XIV - 1918 - 1 - Reconnaissance L.32 - C.Ia - 1915 - _ - Trainer L.33 - C.Ib - 1915 - _ - Trainer L.34 - D.VII - 1917 - 1 - Fighter L.35 - D.VIII - n/a - 0 - Fighter L.36 - Dr.I - 1917 - 1 - Triplane fighter L.37 - D.IX - 1917 - 1 - Fighter L.38 - D.X - 1918 - 1 - Fighter L.39 - Dr.II - 1918 - 1 - Triplane fighter L.40 - J.I - 1917 - 240 ca. - Ground attack L.41 - D.XI - 1918 - 2 - Fighter L.42 - J.II - 1918 - 4+ - Ground attack L.43 - D.XII - 1918 - 2 - Fighter L.44 - D.XIII - n/a - 0 - Fighter project L.45 - D.XIIIa - n/a - 0 - Fighter project L.46 - D.XIV - 1918 - 1 - Two-seat fighter L.47 - C.XV - 1918 - 50 ca. - Two-seat fighter L.48 - J.III - n/a - 0 - ground attack project L.49/DA 1 - n/a - n/a - 0 - unknown project L.50 - G.IV - n/a - 0 - Bomber project L.51 - C.If - _ - _ - Trainer L.52 - C.I - _ - _ - Trainer L.53 - CLS.I - _ - _ - Ground attack L.54 - F.I - n/a - 0 - Reconnaissance project L.55 - D.XV - n/a - 0 - Fighter L.56 - n/a - n/a - 0 - Airliner project L.57 - n/a - n/a - 0 - Airliner project L.58 - n/a - 1923 - 7 - Airliner L.59 - n/a - 1923 - 1 - Sportsplane L.60 - n/a - 1923 - 3 - Sportsplane L.65 - n/a - 1925 - 2 - Reconnaissance L.66 - n/a - 1924 - 10 - Sportsplane L.67 - n/a - 1924 - 2 - Sportsplane L.68 - n/a - 1926 - 18 - Trainer L.69 - n/a - 1925 - 4 - Trainer L.70 - n/a - 1925 - _ - Reconnaissance L.71 - n/a - 1925 - 2 - Sportplane L.72 & L 72A - n/a - 1925 - 5 - Newspaper distribution aircraft L.73 - n/a - 1926 - 4 - Airliner L.74 - n/a - 1928 - 2 - Trainer L.75 Ass - n/a - 1928 - 43 - Trainer L.76 Aeolus - n/a - 1927 - 6 - Trainer L.77v - n/a - 1928 - 4 - Fighter/reconnaissance L.78 - n/a - 1928 - 13 - Reconnaissance L.79 Kobold - n/a - 1929 - 2 - Aerobatics L.80 - n/a - n/a - 0 - Night bomber project L.81 Elektra - n/a - 1932 - 1 - Experimental aircraft L.82 - n/a - 1929 - 72 - Trainer L.83 Adler - n/a - 1931 - 2 - Airliner/transport L.84 - n/a - 1935 - 5 - Fighter L.85-99 skipped L.100 - n/a - 1930 - 1 - Air racing L.101 - Al 101 - 1930 - 71 - Trainer L.102 - Al 102 - 1932 - 10 - Trainer L.103 - Al 103 - 1933 - 1 - Experimental H.1 - n/a - n/a - 1 - altitude record (not flown) W.1/WDD - B.II-W - 1913 - _ - Patrol floatplane W.2 - n/a - 1916 - 1 - Patrol floatplane W.3 - Marine 527 - 1916 - 1 - Floatplane torpedo bomber W.4 - n/a - 1916 - 118 - Floatplane fighter W.5 - Marine 845-849 - 1917 - 5 - Floatplane torpedo bomber W.6 - n/a - _ - 1 - Floatplane fighter W.7 - n/a - _ - 1 - Floatplane fighter W.8 - Marine 5001-5003 - 1918 - 3 - Two-seat floatplane fighter W.10 - n/a - n/a - 0 - Flying boat project of 1922 Albatros B.I B.I Role - Reconnaissance aircraft Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Primary user - Luftstreitkräfte The Albatros B.I, (post-war company designation L.1) was a German military reconnaissance aircraft designed in 1913 and which saw service during World War I. Design and development The B.I was a two-seat biplane of conventional configuration that seated the observer and the pilot in separate cockpits in tandem. The wings were originally of three-bay design, but were later changed to a two-bay, unstaggered configuration; featuring a typical aileron control cable system for German aircraft of the time, that allowed for a horizontal control horn that fitted into a structural pocket in the wing structure at neutral. A floatplane version was developed as the Albatros W.I. Variants B.I German production aircraft for the Luftstreitkräfte. Phönix 20.01 First prototype for Austrian production. Phönix 20.02 second prototype for Austrian production. B.I(Ph) series 21 Production by Phönix Flugzeug-Werke AG at Vienna for the Austro-Hungarian Imperial and Royal Aviation Troops. B.I(Ph) series 24 Production by Phönix Flugzeug-Werke AG at Vienna for the Austro-Hungarian Imperial and Royal Aviation Troops. B.I(Ph) series 25 Production by Phönix Flugzeug-Werke AG at Vienna, with the KNV (Knoller Verspannung) for the Austro-Hungarian Imperial and Royal Aviation Troops; 48 ordered, reduced to 16 due to delays and persistent problems. Operational history The B.Is were withdrawn from front line service in 1915 but some examples served as trainers for the remainder of the war. Operators 1) Austria-Hungary Austro-Hungarian Imperial and Royal Aviation Troops 2) Bulgaria Bulgarian Air Force 3) German Empire Luftstreitkräfte Kaiserliche Marine 4) Netherlands Royal Netherlands Air Force 5) Poland The Polish Air Force operated this type postwar 6) Romania Romanian Air Corps - One Albatros purchased from Germany in 1913 7) Turkey Ottoman Air Force Surviving aircraft The Phönix 20.01, prototype for Austrian production of the Albatros B.I(Ph), is preserved at the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum in Vienna. Specifications (B.I) (Data from German aircraft of the First World War) General characteristics Crew: 2 Length: 8.57 m (28 ft 1 in) Wingspan: 14.48 m (47 ft 6 in) Height: 3.15 m (10 ft 4 in) Empty weight: 747 kg (1,647 lb) Gross weight: 1,080 kg (2,381 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.I 6-cylinder water-cooled in-line piston engine, 75 kW (100 hp) Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch wooden propeller Performance Maximum speed: 105 km/h (65 mph, 57 kn) Range: 650 km (400 mi, 350 nmi) Endurance: ca 4 hours Time to altitude: 800 m (2,600 ft) in 10 minutes Related development Albatros B.II Albatros B.III Albatros C.III Lebed XI Lebed XII Albatros B.I Phönix 20.01:Prototype for Austrian production of the Albatros B.I(Ph) Albatros B.II B.II Role - Reconnaissance aircraft Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Designer - Robert Thelen First flight - 1914 Primary user - Luftstreitkräfte The Albatros B.II, (post-war company designation L.2) was an unarmed two-seat reconnaissance biplane designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Albatros Flugzeugwerke. It was the aircraft that brought Albatros Flugzeugwerke to the world's attention. The design of the B.II, which included an unusually strong fuselage and an atypically flexible trailing edge, drew heavily upon the preceding Albatros B.I. Various measures were incorporated to elevate its usefulness as a reconnaissance aircraft, such as the presence of large square cutouts in the lower wing spars to increase downwards visibility from the observer's position. The pilot was seated behind the observer, rather than in front as later convention would dictate. In terms of flying performance, the B.II was inherently stabile and relatively docile, characteristics that naturally lent itself to the trainer role for which a dedicated variant, the B.IIA, would be developed. Further developments, including a floatplane and the Albatros B.III, would also be produced. The B.II was active from the onset of the First World War, being operated by the Luftstreitkräfte during the opening year of the conflict primarily to perform aerial reconnaissance. It was displaced from frontline service due to the arrival of more capable armed reconnaissance types, and was then used as a primary trainer. The B.II proved to be an export success, being adopted by multiple countries, both inside and outside of the Central Powers. Some of these overseas operators, such as the Swedish Air Force in 1919 and the Polish Air Force, continued to operate the type even after the Armistice of 11 November 1918 that ended the conflict. Design and development There is some dispute over the origins of this B.II; the aeronautical engineer Ernst Heinkel claimed to have designed the aircraft, however this claim is widely considered untrue by many aviation historians. It is commonly accepted that the aircraft's actual designer was Robert Thelen. Irrespective of this controversy, the design process commended during peacetime and drew extensively upon the preceding Albatros B.I. One of the most clear visual distinctions between the B.I and the B.II was a noticeably shorter wingspan of the latter. The fuselage of the B.II, which was atypically strong for the era, was primarily composed of plywood. The primary structural members of this fuselage comprised four longerons of mixed construction, comprising ash forward of the cockpit and spruce to the aft, that tapered sharply towards the rear. The design of the fuselage was commonplace amongst the company's twin-seat aircraft. The nose of the aircraft features a rounded metal panel along with the aircraft's engine; various engines would be used to power the type, such as the Mercedes D.II, which was capable of up to 89 kW (120 hp). The majority of the engine block was uncovered. Cooling was achieved via radiators fitted to the sides of the forward fuselage alongside the cockpit. The B.II was operated by a crew of two; as was commonplace at the time, the pilot was seated in the rear cockpit while the observer was seated in the forward position. The field of view from observer's position was partially obstructed downwards by the center-section trestle while the forward view was negatively impacted by the protruding engine block. To improve the downward field of view, large square cutouts were present in the lower wing spars; the lower wing also had a shorter span than its upper counterpart. The structure of the wing followed the company's established practices, comprising a pair of spars, the rearward of which being roughly in the middle of the wing, making the trailing edge atypically flexible and thus gave the B.II a level of inherent stability. It had ailerons with an inverse taper while the operating cables ran externally over the surface of the lower wing. The B.II was furnished with a large triangular tail, akin to the B.I; it had an unbalanced rudder and elevator control surfaces. Both the tailplane and fin were braced via a streamlined steel strut. The structure was mainly composed of lightweight steel tubing, while the exterior covering was fabric. The undercarriage used a traditional V-shaped chassis and was also composed of steel tubing; a claw-type break was fitted to the center of the axel. The tailskid, which was made of ash, featured an elastic shock chord and was installed upon an inverted pylon structure. Various improvements and modifications were made to the B.II following its entry to service. Many aircraft would receive strengthening, particularly around the tail unit, while the radiators were also relocated from the fuselage sides to the center of the wing's leading edge. A floatplane variant of the B.II was developed, known as the W.1 or B.II-W, as was a purpose-built trainer with increased wingspan, dual flying controls, and different engines, designated the B.IIa. Further developments of the design led to the Albatros B.III, which was produced in small numbers. Across multiple variants, large numbers of the B.II were built both on behalf of the Luftstreitkräfte and various other military air services, typically those amongst the Central Powers. Operational history Germany First flown in 1914, the B.II was already operationally active by the outbreak of the First World War during July 1914. It was heavily used through the first 12 months of the conflict in the aerial reconnaissance role; however, as the Allies fielded increasing numbers of armed military aircraft, the B.II was relatively defenseless due to its lack of armament. Thus, following the introduction of the armed C-type two-seaters that took over the reconnaissance role, the B.II was relegated from frontline duties. However, largely due to its relatively docile flight characteristics and economic engine, the B.II found a new life, remaining in use as a trainer, and thus remained active with the Luftstreitkräfte throughout the conflict. During 1914, the B.II established a world altitude record of 4,500 m (14,800 ft). A B.II from Feldflieger Abteilung 41 was one of the first landplanes (as opposed to Zeppelin) to drop bombs on England that caused some damage; on 16 April 1915, ten bombs were dropped by hand in the area of Sittingbourne and Faversham. No significant damage or casualties resulted. Sweden During 1914, Albatros Flugzeugwerke toured several countries across northern Europe, performing displays of the then-new B.II. It was considered one of the best primary trainer aircraft available at that time. However, both the landing gear and propeller of the demonstrator aircraft were damaged upon its arrival in Sweden. Due to the outbreak of the First World War, no spares could be sent and the aircraft was interned. It was subsequently repaired and operated in the trainer role by the Swedish Air Force. This aircraft was later copied and manufactured in Sweden by six different aircraft companies: Svenska Aeroplanfabriken (SAF), Södertelge Werkstäder (SW), Marinens Flygväsende (MFV), Nordiska Aviatikbolaget (NAB), AB Thulinverken as the Thulin C and Flygkompaniets Verkstäder Malmen (FVM). It was the first military trainer aircraft in Sweden and received the designation Sk 1 and Ö2 in the Swedish Air Force (the two types differed slightly, mainly by choice of engine). An FVM-built Sk 1 Albatros is on public display in the Swedish Air Force Museum near Linköping. The type was used until 1935. One aircraft was later sold to Finland. Finland NAB Albatros Type 9 (and SW 20 Albatros), Type 12 and Type 17 were among the first aircraft of the Finnish Air Force. It was in use between 1918 and 1923. There were two Type 9s, and one each of the Type 12 and 17. There was also one SW 20 Albatros, which was similar to the Type 9. The Type 12 aircraft was destroyed in the ferry flight to Finland; the remains of the aircraft were found near Eckerö, Åland. Type 12 was actually a modified Curtiss Twin JN with floats made by NAB. Austro-Hungary The Albatros B.II was widely used by the K.u.K; somewhat confusingly, it was assigned the designation Albatros B.I (series 21). Variants B.II Developed from the B.I, the B.II entered production in 1914; (Company post-war designation L.2). B.IIa Strengthened airframe, particularly the tail section and 120 hp (89 kW) Mercedes D.II or 120 hp (89 kW) Argus As III engines with radiators moved to the leading edge of the upper centre section; (Company post-war designation L.30). B.II (Ph) series 23 Production of the B.I in Vienna by Phönix Flugzeug-Werke AG, for the Austro-Hungarian Imperial and Royal Aviation Troops. B.II (Ph) series 24 Production of the B.I in Vienna by Phönix Flugzeug-Werke AG, for the Austro-Hungarian Imperial and Royal Aviation Troops. W.1 Seaplane with twin floats and a 150 hp (112 kW) Benz Bz.III engine. Thulin C Licence built version by AB Thulinverken. Operators 1) German Empire Luftstreitkräfte Kaiserliche Marine 2) Austria-Hungary Austro-Hungarian Imperial and Royal Aviation Troops 3) Kingdom of Bulgaria Bulgarian Air Force operated this type to 1918 4) Finland Finnish Air Force operated three aircraft (two NAB 9, one SW 20) in 1918-20 5) Latvia Latvian Air Force 6) Lithuania Lithuanian Air Force operated six aircraft postwar Air Club of Lithuania from 1929 until late 1930s used one ex-military Albatros B.II 7) Ottoman Empire Ottoman Air Force 8) Poland Polish Air Force operated 116 B.IIs and B.IIas between 1918 and 1927 (a dozen or so remained within civil aviation until 1937) 9) Sweden Swedish Air Force operated 47 aircraft (locally designated Sk 1/Ö2) Swedish Navy operated five aircraft between 1920 and 1929 10) United Kingdom Royal Naval Air Service, Royal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force operated one aircraft from August 1914 - February 1918 Specifications (B.II with Mercedes D.II engine) (Data from German Aircraft of the First World War) General characteristics Crew: Two Length: 7.63 m (25 ft 0.38 in) Wingspan: 12.8 m (42 ft 0 in) Height: 3.15 m (10 ft 4 in) Wing area: 40.12 m2 (431.8 sq ft) Empty weight: 723 kg (1,594 lb) Gross weight: 1,071 kg (2,361 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.II , 89.5 kW (120 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 120 km/h (75 mph, 65 kn) Endurance: Four hours Service ceiling: 3,000 m (9,840 ft) Rate of climb: 1.6 m/s (320 ft/min) Related development Albatros B.I Albatros B.III Albatros C.III Lebed XI Lebed XII Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Hansa-Brandenburg B.I An Albatros B.IIa in the Polish Aviation Museum Side view of an Albatros B.II on the ground, circa 1914 Military personnel in front of a B.II, circa 1916 Albatros B.II (Sk 1) in the Swedish Air Force Museum Albatros B.III B.III Role - reconnaissance National origin - Germany Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke, Oeffag, OAW Designer - Ernst Heinkel Developed from - Albatros B.II The Albatros B.III, (post-war company designation L.5), was a German World War I reconnaissance biplane, built by Albatros Flugzeugwerke as the Albatros LDD. Development and design The Albatros B.III was the last of the company's unarmed reconnaissance two-seaters and was a precursor to the most important of their armed reconnaissance biplanes, the C.III. The changes from the previous versions were fairly minor. It introduced what would become the typical Albatros tail when the rudder was rounded off. It was otherwise similar to the B.II. The B.III was produced in small numbers during 1915, but it was already clear that reconnaissance aircraft needed to be armed. Albatros then produced the C.I, which was based on the earlier B.II, and then moved onto the C.III. With some additional detail changes the Albatros C.III was basically an armed version of the B.III, although few parts remained interchangeable between the two aircraft. Variants Albatros L.5 - post-war manufacturers' retroactive designation. Operators 1) German Empire - Luftstreitkräfte - Kaiserliche Marine 2) Austria-Hungary - Austro-Hungarian Imperial and Royal Aviation Troops Units using this aircraft - FEA 6 Specifications General characteristics Crew: 2 Length: 7.8 m (25 ft 7 in) Wingspan: 11 m (36 ft 1 in) Height: 3.15 m (10 ft 4 in) Wing area: 40.12 m2 (432 sq ft) Empty weight: 723 kg (1,594 lb) Gross weight: 1,071 kg (2,361 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.II inline piston or 1 Daimler D I, D II, Argus As II or Bz III , 90 kW (120 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 120 km/h (75 mph, 65 kn) Endurance: 4 hours Service ceiling: 3,000 m (9,840 ft) Armament None Related development Albatros B.I Albatros B.II Albatros C.III Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era AEG B.I AEG B.II AEG B.III Aviatik B.I Aviatik B.II Aviatik B.III DFW B.I & II LVG B.I, II & III Rumpler B.I Albatros C.I Albatros C.I Role - Reconnaissance aircraft Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Introduction - 1915 Retired - 1917 Primary users - Luftstreitkräfte / Polish Air Force / Lithuanian Air Force Developed from - Albatros B.II Variants - Albatros C.III The Albatros C.I, (post-war company designations L.6 & L.7), was a twin-seat general-purpose biplanes designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Albatros Flugzeugwerke. It was the first of the successful C-series aircraft operated by the Luftstreitkräfte. During the opening year of the First World War, unarmed aircraft such as the Albatros B.II became increasingly vulnerable to the increasing numbers of armed military aircraft fielded by the Allies. In response to a requirement formulated in late 1914, Albatros designed the C.I; based on the B.II, the C.I reversed the pilot and observer seating so that the observer occupied the rear cockpit which was provisioned with a machine gun, typically a ring-mounted 7.92 mm (0.312 in) Parabellum MG14. The aircraft was also furnished with a more powerful powerplant, such as the 150 hp (110 kW) Benz Bz.III or a 160 hp (120 kW) Mercedes D.III engine, and had relatively favourable flying characteristics. During late April 1915, the type entered frontline service with the Luftstreitkräfte; it quickly proved itself to be a success and 228 aircraft were operational by the end of the year, comprising 42% of the total strength of C-type aircraft. Amongst its various roles, it became used as a fighter aircraft, noted pilots such as Oswald Boelcke and Manfred von Richthofen flew in the type. It performed various mission roles, including aerial reconnaissance, artillery spotting, and even bombing. Improvements to the C.I ultimately resulted in the Albatros C.III, which led to the aircraft being withdrawn from active combat on the Western Front during 1916. It continued to be used in the secondary trainer role, being outfitted with dual controls for training new pilots as well as observers. The C.I remained operational in German service through to the Armistice of 11 November 1918 that ended the conflict. The C.I saw further use in the hands of other operators, including the Lithuanian Air Force, Polish Air Force, and the Swedish Air Force. Design and development In late 1914, the German Luftstreitkräfte, the air service of the Imperial German Army, developed a requirement for two-seat aircraft, the C-type, powered by engines of at least 150 hp (110 kW) and armed with at least one machine gun. The Albatros Flugzeugwerke's design team, headed by the aeronautical engineer Robert Thelen, opted to produce an aircraft to fulfil this requirement; this aircraft, the C.I, was a development of Albatros' unarmed B.II biplane. This new design was visibly larger than the preceding aircraft. Other key differences between the C.I and the B.II included its use of a more powerful engine, while the pilot was moved to the front cockpit, the observer being instead seated in the rear cockpit and provided with a flexibly mounted machine gun, which was usually a Parabellum MG 14, but sometimes the less satisfactory Bergmann MG 15 was also used. The fuselage of the C.I was, much like the B.II, was primarily composed of plywood. The primary structural members comprised four longerons of mixed construction, comprising ash forward of the cockpit and spruce to the aft, to which numerous plywood slab panels lining the aircraft were attached. The design of the fuselage, which eliminated the need for internal bracing, was commonplace amongst the company's twin-seat aircraft. Again similar to the B.II, the aircraft's wing structure had the rearward of its two spars positioned roughly in the middle of the wing, which made the trailing edge atypically flexible and thus gave the aircraft a level of inherent stability. None of the flight control surfaces were balanced. The C.I was powered by a 150 hp (110 kW) Benz Bz.III or a 160 hp (120 kW) Mercedes D.III engine, which were both water-cooled six-cylinder inline engines, depending on availability. Aircraft flown by the Imperial German Navy were equipped with the 150 hp (110 kW) Rapp Rp III engine, as the service had been denied access to the preferred Benz or Mercedes engines. Despite attention paid by the design team to streamlining the aircraft in general, this was somewhat negated by the radiators. The majority of early aircraft had their radiators attached to the side of the fuselage, but this arrangement was substituted for on later-built C.Is, which instead used a radiator that was fitted to the centre-section of the upper wing's leading edge. During 1915, roughly 485 C.Is were ordered from Albatros while a further 88 C.Is were ordered from Luft-Fahrzeug-Gesellschaft (which used the trade name Roland for its aircraft). Furthermore, 56 C.Is were ordered from Albatros' Austro-Hungarian subsidiary Ostdeutsche Albatros Werke (OAW) for the Austro-Hungarian Aviation Troops. In 1917, in response to a growing demands for training its aircrew, the Luftstreitkräfte placed a series of very large orders for trainer aircraft, which included the C.I. The Bayerische Flugzeug-Werke (BFW) built the C.Ia, designed to be powered by the 180 hp (130 kW) Argus As III, while the C.Ib, powered by a Mercedes D.III, was built by Mercur Flugzeugbau. During August 1918, Albatros and Mercur received orders for a new trainer version, the C.If, with pneumatic springs replacing the rubber shock cords used in the aircraft's undercarriage owing to shortages of raw materials, although it unclear how many, if any, C.Ifs were completed. Improvements to the C.I resulted in the Albatros C.III which became the most prolific of the Albatros C-types. Operational history During late April 1915, the C.I began to reach frontline units of the Luftstreitkräfte; it served in aerial reconnaissance, artillery spotting, bombing, and photography roles. The type proved to be successful, demonstrating its favourable performance, easy handling, and robust construction, qualities that made the aircraft popular with its crews. Its effective armament also resulted in the C.I being used as a fighter aircraft; Oswald Boelcke claimed his first victory while flying a C.I with Lt. von Wühlisch as the gunner. When flown in the fighter role, pilots often flew relatively aggressively, intentionally positioning their aircraft into favourable positions for the observer to open fire upon enemies. Boelcke's success quickly inspired other crews; Germany's most famous aviator of the First World War, Manfred von Richthofen, also began his career as an observer in the C.I on the Eastern Front. Typically, those pilots who demonstrated their effectiveness in the fighter role with the C.I would be transferred to dedicated fighter aircraft. Throughout the rest of 1915, increasing numbers of C.Is were delivered and introduced; by the end of that year, it had become one of the most numerous C-type aircraft of the front, comprising 228 aircraft or 42% of the total strength of C-type aircraft in service. Despite these numbers, the type had a relatively short frontline service life, being phased out of use on the Western Front during 1916 after units were replaced by the more capable Albatros C.III. The C.I continued to see frontline action on the Eastern Front against the Russians well into 1917. The C.I's viceless handling heavily lent the type to its future use in the training role. It was operated for both the training of the crews of observation aircraft and, when outfitted with dual controls, as a pilot trainer. In this capacity, the aircraft remained in use by the Luftstreitkräfte through to the end of the conflict. Variants C.I Two-seat reconnaissance aircraft. First production version. C.Ia Improved version powered by more powerful Argus As III engine, built by BFW and by LFG. C.Ib Dual-control training version built by Mercur Flugzeugbau. C.If C.Ifd C.I-V Experimental aircraft. One built. Operators Bulgaria Bulgarian Air Force German Empire Luftstreitkräfte Lithuania Lithuanian Air Force operated this type postwar Poland Polish Air Force operated 49 aircraft postwar Sweden Swedish Air Force (Postwar) Turkey Ottoman Air Force Specifications (C.I) (Data from German Aircraft of the First World War) General characteristics Crew: 2 Length: 7.85 m (25 ft 9 in) Wingspan: 12.9 m (42 ft 4 in) Height: 3.14 m (10 ft 4 in) Wing area: 40.4 m2 (435 sq ft) Empty weight: 875 kg (1,929 lb) Gross weight: 1,190 kg (2,624 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.III six-cylinder water-cooled in-line piston engine, 120 kW (160 hp) Propellers: 2-bladed wooden fixed-pitch propeller Performance Maximum speed: 132 km/h (82 mph, 71 kn) Endurance: 2½ hours Service ceiling: 3,000 m (9,800 ft) Rate of climb: 1.7 m/s (330 ft/min) Armament Guns: 1 × 7.92 mm (0.312 in) Parabellum MG14 machine gun in observer's cockpit Related development Albatros B.II Albatros C.III Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 LVG C.II Rumpler C.I A German C.I on the Eastern Front, circa 1915 Above view of a C.I, circa 1916 A preserved C.I on static display Albatros C.II Albatros C.II Role - Military reconnaissance biplane National origin - Germany Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Number built - 1 The Albatros C.II was a 1910s German military pusher reconnaissance biplane designed and built by Albatros Flugzeugwerke. Only one aircraft (Idflieg no. C 27/15) was built and the type did not enter production. Design The C.II used the wings and landing gear of the earlier C.I but was fitted with a short nacelle rather than a conventional fuselage. The nacelle housed a 150 hp (112 kW) Benz Bz.III engine in a pusher configuration with a two-bladed propeller. The nacelle had an open cockpit for the observer/gunner at the front and the pilot behind. The tail structure used an open frame with a conventional fin and rudder and garnered the nickname Gitterschwanz (en: lattice tail). This aircraft should not be confused with the OAW (Albatros) C.II which was an unrelated aircraft produced by the Albatros Schneidemühl factory in Austria, known as OAW. (Ostdeutsche Albatros Werke GmbH). Specifications General characteristics Crew: 2 (pilot, gunner/observer) Length: 7.15 m (23 ft 5 in) Wingspan: 12.90 m (42 ft 4 in) Height: 3.26 m (10 ft 8 in) Wing area: 40.50 m2 (435.9 sq ft) Empty weight: 786 kg (1,733 lb) Gross weight: 986 kg (2,174 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Benz Bz.III liquid-cooled inline engine, 110 kW (150 hp) Propellers: 2-bladed Maximum speed: 126 km/h (78 mph, 68 kn) Cruise speed: 105 km/h (65 mph, 57 kn) Range: 300 km (190 mi, 160 nmi) Service ceiling: 3,000 m (9,800 ft) Replica of an Albatros C.II Albatros C.III Albatros C.III Role - General purpose Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke / DAR Introduction - 1915 Primary users - Luftstreitkräfte / Polish Air Force / Bulgarian Air Force / Ottoman Air Force The Albatros C.III was a twin-seat general-purpose biplane designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Albatros Flugzeugwerke. It was produced in greater numbers than any other C-type aircraft by Albatros as well as being the company's most-produced twin-seat aircraft. The C.III was developed during 1915 as a refined and slightly smaller derivative of the successful Albatros C.I. The two aircraft shared similar construction and numerous features, the most distinct visual difference being its redesigned empennage, being both more rounded and lower than that of the C.I. As a result, the C.III was more responsive and agile, both being beneficial traits in aerial combat. Typically, both the observer and pilot were provisioned with machine guns, although the gun synchronizer for the pilot's forward-firing guns often malfunctioned and resulted in propeller damage. Up to 90 kg (200 lb) of bombs could also be carried, although the lack of a bombsight greatly hindered their effective use on the battlefield. For coordination with ground forces, a radio set could optionally be installed. The Luftstreitkräfte first deployed the C.III on the Western Front during December 1915; it quickly deployed the type in a variety of roles beyond aerial reconnaissance, including as a light bomber and a bomber escort. The aircraft was produced by numerous manufacturers, enabling it to become available in quantity rather quickly. By mid-1917, the C.III was mainly being used a trainer aircraft, a task which it was well-suited to on account of its favourable flying characteristics, natural stability, and availability. It remained in Luftstreitkräfte service through to the Armistice of 11 November 1918. Various other nations acquired their own C.IIIs, leading to its use by the Polish Air Force, Bulgarian Air Force, and Ottoman Air Force amongst others. Small batches were also produced during the 1920s. Design The C.III has its origins in the Albatros C.I, being directly derived from it and being a slightly more compact aircraft. The most prominent visual difference between the two aircraft was the revised vertical stabilizer; the C.III possessed a lower and rounded tail in place of the large triangular tail of the C.I, which, in combination with its reduced weight, provided greater agility to the newer aircraft. Specifically, the revised empennage of the C.III gave more sensitive and immediate longitudinal control in comparison to the docile C.I, an aspect that proved valuable when performing evasive combat maneuvers. The rudder was noticeably more rounded than that of the C.I. The fuselage of the C.III was, akin to the C.I and B.II, was primarily composed of plywood. This construction proved to be fairly capable of absorbing damage, which made it somewhat difficult to shoot down in combat. The wings were covered with fabric and had a wooden structure, aside from the steel tubing used for the flight control surfaces. The C.III could be outfitted with various power plants, such as the 110 kW (150 hp) Benz Bz. III or 120 kW (160 hp) Mercedes D.III inline engine and, like numerous other twin-seaters used during the conflict (such as the British Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8) the cylinder head and exhaust manifold protruded above the front fuselage, somewhat limiting the pilot's forward visibility. The observer, who occupied the rear cockpit, was armed with a single 7.92 mm (0.312 in) Parabellum MG14 machine gun. After it was recognised that the addition of more weaponry would not unduly impact performance, the C.III was routinely fitted with a single forward-firing 7.92 mm (0.312 in) LMG 08/15 machine gun. The forward-firing machine gun was fitted with a gun synchronizer, however, this device often proved to be less effective than desired as multiple instances of pilots accidentally destroying their own propeller were recorded. For the artillery spotting role, the C.III could be equipped with a radio set. The C.III could also carry a bomb load of up to 90 kg (200 lb) across four vertical tubes in the fuselage or upon external racks. The aiming of these bombs was not easy due to the lack of an accurate sighting device, limiting the aircraft's use as a bomber to barely more than harassment. German authorities enthusiastically received the C.III; cumulative orders for 2,271 aircraft were placed for the type. In order to fulfil this vast demand, arrangements to produce the type were granted to numerous aircraft manufacturers across the Central Powers, including Luft-Fahrzeug-Gesellschaft, Linke-Hoffman Werke, Deutsche Flugzeug-Werke, and Albatros' Austro-Hungarian subsidiary Ostdeutsche Albatros Werke (OAW). Operational history The first of the Luftstreitkräftes C.IIIs arrived at the Western Front during December 1915. It was promptly used in a wide variety of roles, including observation, aerial reconnaissance, light bombing and bomber escort. Despite these varied mission types, the C.III was most commonly used to perform reconnaissance. The operational peak for the type was reached during August 1916, at which point 354 aircraft were believed to be operational at the front. By mid-1917, the C.III had mostly been withdrawn from frontline service with the Luftstreitkräfte, although deliveries of the type were still underway by this point; the aircraft having been relegated to secondary duties, mostly to training units. As such, it remained in service until the Armistice of 11 November 1918 that ended the conflict. During August 1916, at least eighteen C.IIIs were delivered to Bulgaria. These were all destroyed in 1920 in accordance with the Treaty of Neuilly-sur-Seine. According to other sources, 26 Albatros C.III were delivered to Bulgaria, including eight trainers. In the aftermath of the First World War, the Polish Air Force operated around 15 C.III for a time. These saw active combat during the Polish-Soviet War. Between 1926 and 1927, two Mercedes D.III engined copies were built from saved parts and components of the destroyed aircraft by Bulgarian state aircraft workshops DAR as the DAR 2 for use as trainers. According to the military historian Dimitar Nedialkov, twelve DAR 2s were built (at least nine are confirmed by a photograph). Three C.IIIs were built in 1927-1928 at Lithuanian Karo Aviacijos dirbtuvės (Military Aviation Workshop) in Kaunas. Variants (Data from Gray) C.VI (L 16) about 300 mm (11.8 in) shorter and 20 kg (44 lb), with strengthened engine bearers to take a 180 hp (134 kW) Argus As III six-cylinder inline. Some 4% faster. Limited production. W.2 Seaplane variant with twin floats, modified Mercedes D.II installation, revised cabane strut and a much larger fin. Parabellum MG14 machine gun in observer's cockpit. Only one produced, delivered in June 1916. Operators Bulgaria Bulgarian Air Force (including DAR-2) Finland Finnish Air Force German Empire Luftstreitkräfte Marine Flieger-Abteilung Latvia Latvian Air Force Lithuania Lithuanian Air Force (12 bought and 3 built) Poland Polish Air Force (15 used) Turkey Ottoman Air Force (No AK 8 to AK 41) Austria-Hungary Austro-Hungarian Air Force Specifications (C.III) (Data from German Aircraft of the First World War) General characteristics Crew: 2 Length: 7.9 m (25 ft 11 in) Wingspan: 11.7 m (38 ft 5 in) Height: 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in) Wing area: 36.91 m2 (397.3 sq ft) Empty weight: 830 kg (1,830 lb) Gross weight: 1,343 kg (2,961 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Argus As.III six-cylinder water-cooled in-line piston engine, 130 kW (180 hp) Propellers: 2-bladed propeller Performance Maximum speed: 145 km/h (90 mph, 78 kn) Endurance: four hours and 30 minutes Service ceiling: 3,350 m (10,990 ft) Time to altitude: 3,000 m (9,800 ft) in 35 minutes Armament Guns: 1 × 7.92 mm (0.312 in) Parabellum MG14 machine gun in observer's cockpit and 1 × fixed forward-firing 7.92 mm (0.312 in) LMG 08/15 in the nose Bombs: up to 200 lb (91 kg) of bombs Related development Albatros C.I Albatros C.V Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Aviatik C.I LVG C.II Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 Rumpler C.I A C.III with a damaged propeller blade due to a gun synchronizer fault A C.III in flight over the Balkans in March 1918 The W.2 derived directly from the C.III A Turkish C.III Albatros C.III German World War 1 reconnaissance and training biplane drawing Albatros C.IV Albatros C.IV Role - Reconnaissance aircraft National origin - Germany Manufacturer - Albatros First flight - 1916 Status - Prototype only Number built - 1 Developed from - Albatros C.III The Albatros C.IV, (Company post-war designation L.12). was a German military reconnaissance aircraft built in the autumn of 1915 by Albatros Flugzeugwerke. It was a single-engined biplane, and was based on the Albatros C.III, with which it shared many parts. It was eventually abandoned, in favour of the C.V. Design and development The C.IV shared the same fuselage, landing gear, and tail section with the C.III, but Albatros changed the design of the wings and cockpit; the pilot was located in the rear cockpit. When it was tested in 1916, the expected results of the changes did not occur, and the project was abandoned in favour of a more promising prototype, which became the Albatros C.V. The C.IV was armed with a forward-firing LMG 08/15 machine gun, and a rear-firing, Parabellum MG14 machine gun. Specifications General characteristics Crew: 2 Length: 8 m (26 ft 3 in) Wingspan: 12.4 m (40 ft 8 in) Height: 3.1 m (10 ft 2 in) Wing area: 41.2 m2 (443 sq ft) Empty weight: 798 kg (1,759 lb) Gross weight: 1,240 kg (2,734 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.III Inline piston engine, 118 kW (158 hp) 160PS Performance Maximum speed: 140 km/h (87 mph, 76 kn) Cruise speed: 125 km/h (78 mph, 67 kn) Endurance: 4h Service ceiling: 3,200 m (10,500 ft) Armament Guns: 1×7.92mm LMG 08/15 and 1×7.92mm Parabellum MG14 Bombs: 90kg Albatros C.IV Albatros C.V Albatros C.V Role - Reconnaissance aircraft Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Primary user - Luftstreitkräfte Number built - ~400 The Albatros C.V was a military reconnaissance aircraft designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Albatros Flugzeugwerke. It was developed to make use of the newly-available Mercedes D.IV eight-cylinder engine. While the C.V drew greatly upon the company's previous aircraft, it featured greater use of balanced flight control surfaces and a new tail design. These changes also resulted in a heavier aircraft than its predecessors. Initially internally designated C.V/16, initial flight testing found that the aircraft's performance was lacking, particularly in terms of the flight controls being cumbersome and demanding, thus redesign work commenced. The resulting aircraft, which was designated C.V/17 by the company, showed improved handling and thus proceeded into quantity production. The Luftstreitkräfte promptly accepted delivery of the type, using it active combat during the First World War. However, the unreliable Mercedes D.IV engine hurt aircraft availability and its manufacturer was unable to resolve the engine issues. Instead, production of the power plant stopped, leaving the C.V without an engine, thus forcing an early end of production of the type. It was replaced by the Albatros C.VII while existing C.Vs were quickly withdrawn from service due to the engine issues. Design and development The availability of a powerful new eight-cylinder engine in the form of the Mercedes D.IV was a major impetus for the development of the C.V. Albatros Flugzeugwerke had quickly determined that the increased weight and length of the engine made it unpractical to install upon its existing airframes without a redesign. Numerous changes from its immediate predecessors were enacted by the design team, such as the decision to almost entirely enclose the engine with removable panels; further aerodynamic improvements were achieved via the addition of a sizable blunt spinner. The fuselage of the C.V was largely reminiscent of the Albatros C.III and various other prior aircraft by the company, consisting of slab-sided plywood construction; deviations included the somewhat more spacious arrangement and the use of an integral vertical fin, which was also covered with plywood. For the first time on an operational Albatros-designed twin-seat aircraft, a balanced rudder was used, which had a steel tube structure and fabric covering. The elevator, while remaining unbalanced, was redesigned to use a one-piece control system without any division. Armament comprised a forward-firing machine gun that was aligned with a gun synchronizer in addition to the single 7.92 mm (0.312 in) Parabellum MG14 machine gun on a rotating mounting that was operated by the observer; it could also carry bombs and be furnished with a radio set dependent upon mission role. The wings had a greater span than that of the C.III while the chord of the lower wing was increased to match the upper wing, but otherwise followed the same general configuration. The undercarriage of the C.V was of a conventional design, its structure largely comprising steel tubing, in conjunction with an externally-spring tailskid mounted on inverted pyramidal struts. Engine cooling was originally achieved via radiators fitted to the sides of the forward fuselage just above the leading edge of the lower wing; their presence somewhat detracted from the overall cleanliness of the airframe. Primarily due to the increased weight and size of the C.V, early flight testing found that the aircraft was demanding and somewhat cumbersome to fly, to the extent that the design team opted to make numerous changes to the design, the original configuration being referred to as the C.V/16. Albatros elected to reorientate the exhaust manifold from a horizontal to a sideways position, while a new aerofoil-shaped radiator arrangement installed within the center-section of the upper wing. Perhaps the most substantial element of the redesign was the adoption of an entirely new lower wing, which had an elliptical tip profile; the ailerons of the upper wing were also altered, adopting large rectangular balanced sections. Balanced elevators were also adopted along with an internally-sprung tailskid. The redesigned aircraft, which had the factory designation of C.V/17, possessed improved performance and superior handling characteristics. The C.V was Albatros' first revision of their B- and C-type reconnaissance aircraft since Ernst Heinkel's departure from the firm to join rival aircraft manufacturer Hansa-Brandenburg. Operational history The Luftstreitkräfte introduced the revised C.V, but quickly became dissatisfied with its performance, being unable to match the reliability of the Albatros D.III. This was largely attributable to the continuous and serious issues of its Mercedes D.IV engine, which frequently suffered from crankshaft failures amongst other troubles. Unable to overcome this pitfall, production of the engine was terminated, which also forced production of the C.V to be ended after the completion of no more than 424 aircraft. It was promptly replaced in production by the Albatros C.VII. Variants C.V/16 Original design with radiators on fuselage sides. C.V/17 Revised aircraft with radiator on upper wing, and redesigned lower wing. Operators - German Empire Luftstreitkräfte Specifications (C.V) (Data from German Aircraft of the First World War) General characteristics Crew: two (pilot and observer) Length: 8.95 m (29 ft 4 in) Wingspan: 12.78 m (41 ft 11 in) Height: 4.5 m (14 ft 9 in) Wing area: 43.4 m2 (467 sq ft) Empty weight: 1,069 kg (2,357 lb) Gross weight: 1,585 kg (3,494 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.IV , 164 kW (220 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 170 km/h (110 mph, 96 kn) Range: 450 km (280 mi, 240 nmi) Service ceiling: 3,000 m (9,840 ft) Rate of climb: 2.1 m/s (410 ft/min) Armament 1 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) Parabellum MG14 or Spandau LMG 08/15 machine gun for observer 180 kg (400 lb) of bombs Albatros C.V with crew, circa 1917 Albatros C.VII Albatros C.VII Role - Reconnaissance aircraft Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke First flight - early 1916 Introduction - late 1916 Retired - 1918 Primary user - Luftstreitkräfte Produced - 1916 Number built - 400 Developed from - Albatros C.V The Albatros C.VII was a military reconnaissance aircraft designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Albatros Flugzeugwerke. It was a revised and re-engined development of the Albatros C.V, which had proved disappointing in service. Developed relatively rapidly during 1916, the C.VII dispensed with the unreliable Mercedes D.IV engine that powered the earlier C.V in favour of the more dependable Benz Bz.IV; this change was accompanied by various modifications to accommodate that powerplant, effectively being a hybrid of the C.V/16 and C.V/17 designs. While considered to be a stop-gap aircraft, it incorporated various refinements to areas such as the flight control surfaces, which resulted in the C.VII possessing excellent handling qualities. Introduced to service with the Luftstreitkräfte during late 1916, it proved itself to be less troublesome than its predecessor. At one point, the C.VII comprised the bulk of all reconnaissance aircraft being operated by Germany during the First World War, roughly 350 aircraft were in service at the peak of operations. It saw action on all fronts of the conflict. Design & development Work commenced on what would become the C.VII as soon as Albatros became aware that production of the troublesome Mercedes D.IV engine was facing termination, which impacted the company's existing Albatros C.V reconnaissance aircraft as it was solely powered by the D.IV - without a compatible engine, production could not be continued. Albatros's design team hastily drew up multiple proposals as alternative options; one of these, internationally designated C.VI, was considered to be a retrograde step and ultimately not pursued for production. What would become the C.VII was largely considered to be a stop-gap measure while the company designed a higher performance successor later on; accordingly, the use of as many standard components and subassemblies of the C.V was encouraged while the most substantial change was the adoption of the Benz Bz.IV engine, an established and dependable powerplant. One of the main visual distinguishing differences between the C.V and the C.VII was the cylinder block of the engine; on the latter aircraft, this protruded above the inspection panels. Engine cooling used radiators attached to the sides of the fuselage just forward of the lower wing's leading edge. The forward fuselage had to be redesigned to properly accommodate the Bz.IV engine and its ancillary components. The fuselage structure largely conformed with the company's established practices, making extensive use of plywood and not using any internal bracing. The wings were directly derived from both versions of the C.I; specifically, the upper wing was almost identical to that of the C.V/17 while the lower wing was the more angular design used on the C.V/16. The empennage and undercarriage were similarly derived. The flying controls also had no innovation over their predecessor. Operational history The Luftstreitkräfte commenced operations with the C.VII during late 1916. It quickly proved to be a well-received aircraft and was often praised for its favourable handling qualities, being fairly comfortable and untiring to operate while also not exhibiting challenging characteristics during the landing phase as some of its competing two-seaters did. By the end of 1916, the C.VII had become a staple of both the aerial reconnaissance and artillery spotting roles; it was operated on all fronts of the war. Variants C.VI N.I Night-bomber variant. L 18 A single C.VII converted for civil use post WWI. Operators - German Empire 1. Luftstreitkräfte Specifications (C.VII) (Data from German Aircraft of the First World War) General characteristics Crew: Two (pilot and observer) Length: 8.70 m (28 ft 6 in) Wingspan: 12.78 m (41 ft 11 in) Height: 3.8 m (12 ft 6 in) Wing area: 43.4 m2 (467 sq ft) Empty weight: 989 kg (2,180 lb) Gross weight: 1,550 kg (3,420 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Benz Bz.IV , 150 kW (200 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 170 km/h (110 mph, 96 kn) Endurance: 31⁄3 hours Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,500 ft) Rate of climb: 3.2 m/s (630 ft/min) Armament 1 × forward-firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) Spandau LMG 08/15 machine gun 1 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) Parabellum MG14 machine gun for observer 90 kg (200 lb) of bombs Personnel standing in front of a C.VII on the ground, circa 1917 Albatros C.IX Albatros C.IX Role - Reconnaissance aircraft National origin - Germany Manufacturer - Albatros First flight - 1917 Number built - 3 The Albatros C.IX was a two-seated German military reconnaissance biplane from 1917. It was built by Albatros Flugzeugwerke. It did not have a central strut between the upper wing and the fuselage, which was uncommon during the time. Also unusual was that the top wing was swept, while the lower wing was straight. Only three of these aircraft were built. Manfred von Richthofen used one for personal transport, including going to meet Kaiser Wilhelm II in May 1917. Specifications General characteristics Crew: 2 Length: 8.22 m (27 ft 0 in) Wingspan: 10.4 m (34 ft 1 in) Height: 2.74 m (9 ft 0 in) Empty weight: 790 kg (1,742 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.III Inline piston engine, 118 kW (158 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 155 km/h (96 mph, 84 kn) Range: 385 km (239 mi, 208 nmi) Armament Guns: 2×7.9mm machine guns Albatros C.X Albatros C.X Role - Reconnaissance aircraft Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Primary user - Luftstreitkräfte Number built - >300 The Albatros C.X was a military reconnaissance aircraft designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Albatros Flugzeugwerke. The C.X was essentially an enlarged development of the Albatros C.VII designed to take advantage of the new Mercedes D.IVa engine that became available in 1917. Unlike the C.VII that preceded it in service, the C.X utilised the top wing spar-mounted radiator that had first been tried on the C.V/17. Other important modernisation features included provision for oxygen for the crew and radio equipment. The C.X entered service with the Luftstreitkräfte during 1917 and saw active combat during the latter portion of the First World War. Design and development What would become the Albatros C.X was designed fairly promptly after the emergence of the earlier Albatros C.VII. This predecessor aircraft had been hastily developed as a stop-gap measure following the abrupt end of production of the Albatros C.V due to severe engine issues. For the C.X, the company's design team sought to design a more long term successor aircraft that would be capable of greater performance. Nonetheless, the design conformed with many of the established approaches and techniques in use by Albatros at that time; the single most distinctive feature of the C.X was its adoption of the Mercedes D.IVa engine, a relatively powerful engine for the time, being capable of generating up to 260 hp. The airframe also had considerably more generous proportions than the earlier models, despite its adherence to the same core design formula. The fuselage of the C.X, akin to Albatros' earlier C series aircraft, was composed of plywood with slab-sided construction; it differed by being wider, longer, and deeper than any of its predecessors. This additional volume permitted the installation of new facilities and equipment, such as oxygen breathing apparatus in the forward cockpit, which was occupied by the pilot, while the observer's rear cockpit was furnished with an extensive radio set. Neither the tail surfaces or the undercarriage, which were largely made up of plywood and steel tubing, had any substantial changes from those of the C.V. The wings, which comprised two wooden box-spars and a two-bay cable-braced layout, were considerably revised, possessing a considerably larger span and area than earlier aircraft. Furthermore, the angular raked wingtips of its predecessors were dispensed with in favour of a more aerodynamic tip profile. Ailerons were installed near to all four wingtips that achieved relatively sensitive lateral control throughout the flight envelope; these on the wing's upper surfaces featured large rectangular inset balance positions. The root of the upper wing accommodated an aerofoil-type radiator to cool the engine; the shutter rate could be easily monitored and changed by the pilot according to the operating conditions. The new wing design was aimed at, in combination with the aircraft's relatively powerful engine, attaining the greatest possible altitude. During 1917, the C.X entered service with the Luftstreitkräfte, where it was primarily used in both the aerial reconnaissance and artillery spotting roles. By October 1917, roughly 300 aircraft were believed to have been operational. In addition to Albatros, four other manufacturers were sub-contracted to produce the C.X to meet the urgent wartime demands of the Central Powers. Operators 1. German Empire - Luftstreitkräfte Specifications (C.X) (Data from German Aircraft of the First World War) General characteristics Crew: two (pilot and observer) Length: 9.15 m (30 ft 0 in) Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in) Height: 3.4 m (11 ft 2 in) Wing area: 42.7 m2 (459 sq ft) Empty weight: 1,050 kg (2,320 lb) Gross weight: 1,668 kg (3,677 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.IVa, 190 kW (260 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 175 km/h (110 mph, 96 kn) Endurance: Three hours and 25 minutes Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,500 ft) Rate of climb: 3.3 m/s (660 ft/min) Armament 1 × forward-firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) Spandau LMG 08/15 machine gun 1 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) Parabellum MG14 machine gun for observer Scale model of an Albatros C.X Albatros C.XII Albatros C.XII Role - Reconnaissance aircraft Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Primary user - Germany The Albatros C.XII was a military reconnaissance aircraft designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Albatros Flugzeugwerke. It was developed as a successor to the Albatros C.X. The C.XII differed markedly from previous Albatros C-type aircraft by adopting an elliptical-section fuselage similar to that of the Albatros D.V. The C.XII also featured a tailplane of reduced area, but it retained the wings of the earlier C.X. The C.X entered service with the Luftstreitkräfte during 1918 and saw active combat during the final months of the First World War. Despite the aerodynamic advantages, there was no significant performance increase achieved over the C.X. Examples remained in service until the end of the conflict. Development The Albatross C.XII originated in the desire within Albatros to produce a superior aircraft to its C.X. The company's design team opted to incorporate the latest advances from contemporary single-seat fighter aircraft, particularly in the practice of streamlining. As a result of this focus, the C.XII was a relatively elegant aircraft for a twin-seater of the era; however, despite its well-proportioned and aesthetically pleasing appearance, the refined fuselage did not contribute to any meaningful improvement in performance. The fuselage was an all-new aspect of the design, which had a natural flow from the airscrew through to the tail unit, which was met via Albatros' distinctive horizontal knife-edge design. The surface area of the fuselage's keel was intentionally minimised. The structural elements of the C.XII's fuselage were largely reminiscent of the C.X, comprising longerons and formers, the latter having an elliptical cross-section and being composed of plywood. A combination of pinning and screwing were used to connect the covering with the framework in compact rectangular sections which permitted it to follow the contours of the fuselage. Access to the nose-mounted Mercedes D.IVa engine, another feature carried over from the C.X, was easily achievable via metal access panels. The new fuselage design necessitated the redesigning of the undercarriage, the forward struts being elongated considerably. In spite of this change, the basic structural design of the undercarriage, which comprised V-section steel tubing and elastic shock absorbers, was akin to that of the C.X. To ensure sufficient directional stability during flight, a small plywood-skinned under-fin was present in the vertical tail surfaces; it also supported the tailskid. The surface area of the fixed tailplane was smaller than that of the C.X to enhance fore and aft sensitivity. This tailplane was braced using steel struts to the vertical fin and had a plywood covering. A fabric covering and steel tube framing was used for both the rudder and the horn-balanced elevator. The wings were largely unchanged from those of the C.X, both in shape and construction method. The aerofoil radiator arrangement was also retained. Operational history The Albatros C.XII only became to the Luftstreitkräfte available in quantity during 1918, and thus was only used in actual combat for under a year prior to the Armistice of 11 November 1918 that ended the conflict. Operators 1. German Empire Luftstreitkräfte 2. Poland Polish Air Force (postwar) - Free City of Danzig Police air squadron (postwar) Specifications (C.XII) (Data from German Aircraft of the First World War) General characteristics Crew: Two (pilot and observer) Length: 8.84 m (29 ft 0 in) Wingspan: 14.37 m (47 ft 2 in) (OAW = 14.24) Height: 3.25 m (10 ft 8 in) Wing area: 42.7 m2 (459 sq ft) Empty weight: 580 kg (1,280 lb) Gross weight: 1,061 kg (2,340 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.IVa , 190 kW (260 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 178 km/h (110 mph, 96 kn) Endurance: Four hours and 20 minutes Service ceiling: 5,640 m (18,500 ft) Rate of climb: 4.2 m/s (820 ft/min) Armament 1 × forward-firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) Spandau LMG 08/15 machine gun 1 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) Parabellum MG14 machine gun for observer Albatros C.XII Baubeschreibung drawing, as issued to IdFlieg Albatros C.XIII C.XIII Role - 2 seat fighter aircraft National origin - Germany Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke First flight - 1917 Number built - 1 The Albatros C.XIII was a German two-seat, single-engine, biplane light fighter aircraft built in 1917. Only one was constructed. Design and development The C.XIII was built along the lines of the single seat Albatros D.Va but was a two-seater, larger by about 10% in span and by 6% in length. It was intended to fall into the newer Idflieg two seat CL-class, reserved for lighter two-seat fighters. The round cross section, plywood-covered fuselage was, apart from the second, tandem open cockpit similar in appearance to that of the D.Va, smoothly tapering to the nose with lines that merged into those of the spinner. As with the single-seater, the inline Mercedes D.III engine was largely enclosed but had its six upper cylinders exposed. The C.XIII was fitted with an early 160 hp (119 kW) unit, less powerful than the D.Va's. The empennage was noticeably different, with a narrower, taller vertical tail. Its straight, constant-chord wings had single bays and were mounted without stagger. The undercarriage was of the fixed type, with mainwheels on V-struts and a faired-in tailskid. First flown in 1917, only one C.XIII was built and the type did not enter production; instead Albatros built the flat-sided, two-bay, more powerful C.XIV the following year for the light two-seat category, developing it into the production C.XV. Specifications (Data from German Aircraft of World War I) General characteristics Crew: Two Length: 7.8 m (25 ft 7 in) Wingspan: 10.0 m (32 ft 10 in) Height: 2.71 m (8 ft 11 in) Empty weight: 700 kg (1,543 lb) Gross weight: 1,060 kg (2,337 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.III 6-cylinder water-cooled inline, 120 kW (160 hp) Propellers: 2-bladed Performance Maximum speed: 165 km/h (103 mph, 89 kn) Endurance: 2.5 hr Time to altitude: 47 min to 5,000 m (16,400 ft) Armament Guns: 1×Spandau machine gun and 1×Parabellum MG14 machine gun Related development Albatros D.V Albatros C.XIV C.XIV Role - 2 seat fighter aircraft National origin - Germany Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke First flight - Spring 1918 Number built - 1 Developed into - Albatros C.XV The Albatros C.XIV was a German two seat, single engine, biplane fighter aircraft built in 1918. Only one was constructed. Design and development After experimenting in 1917 with Idflieg two seat CL-class aircraft based on their single seat D.V, Albatros returned to the two bay biplane layout and flat sided fuselage of their earlier C types with the C.XIV. The wings of the C.XIV were straight edged and of constant chord, with the two bays formed by parallel pairs of interplane struts. The C.XIV was the first Albatros C type to include stagger. The upper wing, held well above the fuselage on a cabane, had a semicircular cut-out to improve the pilot's vision from the forward of two tandem, open cockpits. Ailerons, which increased in chord outwards behind the inner line of the trailing edge, were fitted to this wing. The C.XIV was powered by a 220 hp (164 kW) Benz Bz.IVa, mounted with the upper parts of its six inline cylinders partly exposed. It had a tall exhaust which reached over the wing leading edge-mounted radiator. The tailplane was mounted at the bottom of the fuselage. The undercarriage was of the fixed type, with mainwheels on V-struts and a faired-in tailskid. It first flew in the spring of 1918 but did not go into production. Instead, it was modified into the larger but lighter C.XV which entered a production run ended by the Armistice with Germany. Specifications (Data from German Aircraft of World War I) General characteristics Crew: Two Length: 6.9 m (22 ft 8 in) Wingspan: 10.4 m (34 ft 1 in) Empty weight: 950 kg (2,094 lb) Gross weight: 1,385 kg (3,053 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Benz Bz.IVa 6-cylinder water-cooled inline, 160 kW (220 hp) Propellers: 2-bladed Performance Endurance: 3.5 hr Armament Guns: 1× MG08 Spandau + 1× Parabellum MG14 machine guns Related development Albatros C.XV Albatros C.XV C.XV Role - Reconnaissance aircraft Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Primary user - Germany The Albatros C.XV was a German military reconnaissance aircraft developed during World War I. It was essentially a refinement of the C.XII, which had been put into production in 1918. The war ended before any examples became operational. However, some found their way into civilian hands and flew as transport aircraft in peacetime under the factory designation L 47. Others saw service with the air forces of Russia, Turkey, and Latvia. Operators 1. German Empire Luftstreitkräfte 2. Latvia Latvian Air Force 3. Lithuania Lithuanian Air Force 4. Poland Polish Air Force (postwar) 5. Soviet Union Soviet Air Force 6. Turkey Turkish Air Force 7. Albania Royal Albanian Air Corps Specifications (C.XV) General characteristics Crew: two, pilot and observer Length: 8.85 m (29 ft 0 in) Wingspan: 14.37 m (47 ft 2 in) Height: 3.25 m (10 ft 8 in) Wing area: 42.7 m2 (459 sq ft) Empty weight: 1,021 kg (2,250 lb) Gross weight: 1,639 kg (3,613 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.IVa , 190 kW (260 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 175 km/h (110 mph, 96 kn) Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,400 ft) Armament 1 × forward-firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) Spandau LMG 08/15 machine gun 1 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) Parabellum MG14 machine gun for observer A civil Albatros C.XV at Berlin-Johannisthal, 1919 1/72 scale model of an Albatros C.XV of the Russian Civil War by Buz Pezold Albatros D.I Albatros D.I Role - Fighter Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Designer - Robert Thelen Introduction - August 1916 Primary user - Luftstreitkräfte Number built - 50 Developed into - Albatros D.II / Albatros W.4 The Albatros D.I was an early fighter aircraft designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Albatros Flugzeugwerke. It was the first of the Albatros D types which equipped the majority of the German and Austrian fighter squadrons (Jagdstaffeln) for the last two years of the First World War. Despite this, the D.I had a relatively brief operational career, having been rapidly eclipsed by rapid advances in fighter aircraft. The D.I was designed by Robert Thelen, R. Schubert and Gnädig, as an answer to the latest Allied fighters, such as the Nieuport 11 Bébé and the Airco D.H.2, which had proved superior to the Fokker Eindecker and other early German fighters, and established a general Allied air superiority. It featured a then-radical semi-monocoque fuselage design that was paired with a relatively powerful six-cylinder water cooled inline engine. Unlike the majority of preceding aircraft, the D.I could be armed with twin fixed Spandau machine-guns without incurring a meaningful performance loss. The D.I was ordered into production during June 1916 and introduced into service with the Luftstreitkräfte only two months later. While not being a particularly maneuverable aircraft even at the time of its introduction, the aircraft proved to be effective in combat, largely due to its superior speed and firepower over most contemporary military aircraft. Despite its success, no more than 50 D.Is were ever produced, having been rapidly eclipsed by the Albatros D.II, which was broadly identical in terms of its design same for the repositioning of the upper wing to be less of a hinderance to pilot visibility. Design and development The origins of the D.I can be traced back to the early developments of the fighter aircraft during the First World War; in particular, the Fokker Scourge from July 1915 to early 1916 in which the Central Powers held aerial supremacy over the Allied Powers. German military officials came to recognise that advances were being made by the Allies, such as the Airco DH.2 and Nieuport 11 Bébé , which could best the Fokker Eindecker and thus threatened to gradually tip the balance of power back in their favour. In response, efforts were undertaken to secure Germany's aerial position via the development and introduction of new and more capable fighter aircraft. The aircraft manufacturer Albatros Flugzeugwerke was amongst those companies approached to produce such a fighter; its design team on the project was headed by Robert Thelen, R. Schubert and Gnädig. The resulting aircraft had an unorthodox appearance for the era, the fuselage being streamlined and relatively sleek. Its construction was a considerable shift for the company, having discarded its established features of fabric coverings and a braced box-girder fusalage in favour of a semi-monocoque one that was composed of plywood, consisting of a single-layered outer shell supported by a minimal internal structure. This was lighter and stronger than the fabric-skinned box-type fuselage then in common use, as well being easier to give an aerodynamically clean shape. At the same time, its panelled-plywood skinning, done with mostly four-sided panels of thin plywood over the entire minimal fuselage structure, was less labour-intensive (and therefore less costly to manufacture) than a "true" monocoque structure. In spite of the radical design of its fuselage, the wing of D.I adhered to established construction approaches of the era. The wing structure was composed of wood and comprised a rectangular twin-boxspar arrangement; the ribs featured lightening holes and were narrowly flanged with spruce. The top wing was built as a single piece and attached to the fuselage via adjustable eye bolts. It was furnished with mildly tapered ailerons, which had a welded steel tube construction and were actuated via a crank arm. The flight control surfaces of the tail unit were of a similar welded steel tubing with a fabric covering; both the one-piece elevator and rudder had small triangular balance sections. The D.I had a relatively high wing loading for its time, and was not particularly maneuverable. Despite this, the aircraft proved quite effective in combat, as its mundane agility was compensated for by possessing superior speed and firepower to many contemporary military aircraft. The aircraft was powered by either a 110 kW (150 hp) Benz Bz.III or a 120 kW (160 hp) Mercedes D.III six-cylinder water cooled inline engine. At the time of its introduction, the Mercedes-powered D.I was the most powerful fighter aircraft in German service. The additional power of the Mercedes (Daimler) engine was such that it enabled the fitting of twin fixed Spandau machine-guns without incurring any meaningful loss in performance. Box-shaped Windhoff radiators, mounted on either side of the fuselage between the wings, were used to cool the engine. Having suitably impressed German officials, an initial order for the D.I was placed in June 1916. Operational history During August 1916, the D.I was introduced into squadron service by the Luftstreitkräfte. Upon the type's arrival at the front lines, it was first allocated to senior pilots in place of their older aircraft; as such, it displaced the early Fokker and Halberstadt D types. By November 1916, a total of 50 pre-series and series D.Is were in service. The D.I has been credited with giving real "teeth" to the newly-formed Jagdstaffeln (fighter squadrons) of the Luftstreitkräfte. According to aviation authors Peter Grey and Owen Thetford, the D.I was the best all-round fighter available at the time of its introduction to service. Despite this, further production of D.Is was not undertaken. Instead, Albatros opted to alter the design of the D.I, chiefly via a reduction in the gap between the upper and lower wing in order to improve the pilot's forward and upward vision, which resulted in the otherwise identical Albatros D.II, which became the company's first major production fighter. The placement of the upper wing on the D.I had been a particular point of criticism as it obscured the pilot's visibility, a factor which proved to be detrimental in aerial combat. Operators 1) German Empire - Luftstreitkräfte Specifications (D.I with Benz engine) (Data from German Combat Planes: A Comprehensive Survey and History of the Development of German Military Aircraft from 1914 to 1945) General characteristics Crew: 1 Length: 7.4 m (24 ft 3 in) Wingspan: 8.5 m (27 ft 11 in) Height: 2.95 m (9 ft 8 in) Wing area: 22.9 m2 (246 sq ft) Empty weight: 647 kg (1,426 lb) Gross weight: 898 kg (1,980 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Benz Bz.III six-cylinder water-cooled in-line piston engine, 110 kW (150 hp) Propellers: 2-bladed wooden fixed pitch propeller Performance Maximum speed: 175 km/h (109 mph, 94 kn) Endurance: 1.5 Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,000 ft) Rate of climb: 2.8 m/s (550 ft/min) Wing loading: 39.2 kg/m2 (8.0 lb/sq ft) Armament Guns: 1 × forward-firing synchronized 7.92 mm (0.312 in) lMG 08 machine gun Related development Albatros D.II Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Nieuport 11 Albatros D.II Albatros D.II Role - Fighter Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Designer - Robert Thelen Introduction - 1916 Primary users - Luftstreitkräfte Luftfahrtruppen Number built - 291 Developed from - Albatros D.I Developed into - Albatros D.III The Albatros D.II was a German fighter aircraft used during World War I. After a successful combat career in the early Jagdstaffeln, it was gradually superseded by the Albatros D.III. Design and development Albatros designers Robert Thelen, Schubert and Gnädig produced the D.II in response to pilot complaints about poor upward vision in the Albatros D.I. The solution was to reposition the upper wing 36 cm (14 in) closer to the fuselage and stagger it forward slightly. Rearrangement of the cabane struts also improved forward view. The D.II otherwise retained the same fuselage, engine installation and armament as the D.I. Basic performance was unchanged. The Idflieg (Inspektion der Fliegertruppen - Inspectorate of Flying Troops), ordered an initial batch of 100 D.II aircraft in August 1916. In November 1916, Idflieg banned Windhoff "ear" radiators in operational aircraft because they were at a lower level than the crankcase of the engine they were cooling, and a shot into either radiator was likely to drain the cooling system. Late production D.IIs switched to using a Teves und Braun "airfoil shape" radiator in the centre section of the upper wing. This also proved to be problematic as a leaking or battle damaged radiator could scald the pilot's face. On later Albatros fighters (late models of the D.III, and the D.V) the radiator was moved to the right of the centre section to alleviate this problem. Oeffag (Oesterreichische Flugzeugfabrik AG) also built the D.II under license, as the Albatros D.II (Oef) / Oeffag Va.53 / Oeffag series 53, for the Luftfahrtruppen. The 16 Austro-Hungarian machines used a 138 kW (185 hp) Austro-Daimler engine, and were fitted with a Teves und Braun-style wing mounted radiator. Operational history D.IIs formed part of the early equipment of Jagdstaffel (Jasta) 2, the first specialized fighter squadron in the German air service. Famous pilots included Hauptmann Oswald Boelcke (Jasta 2's first commander) and Manfred von Richthofen. With its high speed and heavy armament, the D.II won back air superiority from Allied fighter types such as the Airco DH.2 and Nieuport 17. Albatros built 200 D.II aircraft. LVG (Luft-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft) produced another 75 under license. Service numbers peaked in January 1917, when 214 machines were in service. The D.II operated well into 1917. As late as 30 June 1917, 72 aircraft were in the frontline inventory, and even in November 11 D.IIs and 9 D.Is were still in service, alongside the by now far more numerous D.IIIs and D.Vs. Manfred von Richthofen was flying an Albatros D.II on 23 November 1916 when he was engaged in a prolonged dogfight with the RFC's Lanoe Hawker, VC. Hawker's DH.2 pusher engined fighter had a better turning circle but the Albatros D.II had twin guns, was faster, and could maintain height in a turn better. After firing some 900 rounds von Richthofen shot Hawker in the head and killed him for his 11th victory. Hawker's machine crashed and von Richthofen claimed Hawker's Lewis gun for his growing collection of trophies. Operators 1) Austria-Hungary Austro-Hungarian Imperial and Royal Aviation Troops 2) German Empire Luftstreitkräfte 3) Poland Polish Air Force operated this type postwar 4) Turkey Ottoman Air Force Specifications (D.II (Oef) series 53) (Data from Austro-Hungarian Army Aircraft of World War One) General characteristics Crew: 1 Length: 7.35 m (24 ft 1 in) Upper wingspan: 8.5 m (27 ft 11 in) Lower wingspan: 8 m (26 ft 3 in) Height: 2.71 m (8 ft 11 in) Wing area: 24 m2 (260 sq ft) Gross weight: 898 kg (1,980 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Austro-Daimler 185hp 6-cylinder water-cooled in-line piston engine, 138 kW (185 hp) Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch wooden propeller Performance Maximum speed: 170 km/h (110 mph, 92 kn) Time to altitude: - 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in 4 minutes 30 seconds - 2,000 m (6,600 ft) in 7 minutes - 3,000 m (9,800 ft) in 12 minutes 30 seconds Wing loading: 37.5 kg/m2 (7.7 lb/sq ft) Power/mass: 0.20 hp/kg Armament Guns: 2 × 8 mm (0.315 in) Schwarzlose machine guns Related development Albatros D.I Albatros D.III Albatros D.IV Albatros D.V Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Halberstadt D.II Nieuport 16 Nieuport 17 Albatros D.III D.III Role - Fighter National origin - German Empire Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Designer - Robert Thelen First flight - August 1916 Retired - 1923 (Polish Air Force) Status - Retired Primary users - Luftstreitkräfte / Austro-Hungarian Air Service Produced - 1916-1918 Number built - 1,866 Developed from - Albatros D.II Developed into - Albatros D.V The Albatros D.III was a biplane fighter aircraft used by the Imperial German Army Air Service (Luftstreitkräfte) during World War I. A modified licensed version was built by Oeffag for the Austro-Hungarian Air Service (Luftfahrtruppen). The D.III was flown by many top German aces, including Wilhelm Frankl, Erich Löwenhardt, Manfred von Richthofen, Karl Emil Schäfer, Ernst Udet, and Kurt Wolff, and Austro-Hungarians like Godwin von Brumowski. It was the preeminent fighter during the period of German aerial dominance known as "Bloody April" 1917. Design and development Development of the prototype D.III started in late July or early August 1916. The date of the maiden flight is unknown, but is believed to have occurred in late August or early September. Following the successful Albatros D.I and D.II series, the D.III utilized the same semi-monocoque, plywood-skinned fuselage. However, at the request of the Idflieg (Inspectorate of Flying Troops), the D.III adopted a sesquiplane wing arrangement broadly similar to the French Nieuport 11. The upper wingspan was extended, while the lower wing was redesigned with reduced chord and a single main spar. V-shaped interplane struts replaced the previous parallel struts. For this reason, British aircrews commonly referred to the D.III as the "V-strutter." After a Typenprüfung (official type test) on 26 September 1916, Albatros received an order for 400 D.III aircraft, the largest German production contract to date. Idflieg placed additional orders for 50 aircraft in February and March 1917. Operational history The D.III entered squadron service in December 1916, and was immediately acclaimed by German pilots for its maneuverability and rate of climb. Two faults with the new aircraft were soon identified. Like the later models of the D.II, early D.IIIs featured a Teves und Braun airfoil-shaped radiator in the center of the upper wing, where it tended to scald the pilot if punctured. From the 290th D.III onward, the radiator was offset to the right on production machines while others were soon moved to the right as a field modification. Aircraft deployed in Palestine used two wing radiators, to cope with the warmer climate. More seriously, the new aircraft immediately began experiencing failures of the lower wing ribs and leading edge, a defect shared with the Nieuport 17. On 23 January 1917, a Jasta 6 pilot suffered a failure of the lower right wing spar. On the following day, Manfred von Richthofen suffered a crack in the lower wing of his new D.III. On 27 January, the Kogenluft (Kommandierender General der Luftstreitkräfte) issued an order grounding all D.IIIs pending resolution of the wing failure problem. On 19 February, after Albatros introduced a reinforced lower wing, the Kogenluft rescinded the grounding order. New production D.IIIs were completed with the strengthened wing while operational D.IIIs were withdrawn to Armee-Flugparks for modifications, forcing Jastas to use the Albatros D.II and Halberstadt D.II during the interim. At the time, the continued wing failures were attributed to poor workmanship and materials at the Johannisthal factory. In fact, the real cause lay in the sesquiplane arrangement taken from the Nieuport. While the lower wing had sufficient strength in static tests, it was subsequently determined that the main spar was located too far aft, causing the wing to twist under aerodynamic loads. Pilots were therefore advised not to perform steep or prolonged dives in the D.III. This design flaw persisted despite attempts to rectify the problem in the D.III and succeeding D.V. Apart from its structural deficiencies, the D.III was considered pleasant and easy to fly, if somewhat heavy on the controls. The sesquiplane arrangement offered improved climb, maneuverability, and downward visibility compared to the preceding D.II. Like most contemporary aircraft, the D.III was prone to spinning, but recovery was straightforward. Albatros built approximately 500 D.III aircraft at its Johannisthal factory. In the spring of 1917, D.III production shifted to Albatros' subsidiary, Ostdeutsche Albatros Werke (OAW), to permit Albatros to concentrate on development and production of the D.V. Between April and August 1917, Idflieg issued five separate orders for a total of 840 D.IIIs. The OAW variant underwent its Typenprüfung in June 1917. Production commenced at the Schneidemühl factory in June and continued through December 1917. OAW aircraft were distinguishable by their larger, rounded rudders. Peak service was in November 1917, with 446 aircraft on the Western Front. The D.III did not disappear with the end of production, however. It remained in frontline service well into 1918. As of 31 August 1918, 54 D.III aircraft remained on the Western Front. Austro-Hungarian variants In the autumn of 1916, Oesterreichische Flugzeugfabrik AG (Oeffag) obtained a licence to build the D.III at Wiener-Neustadt. Deliveries commenced in May 1917. The aircraft were officially designated as Albatros D.III (Oeffag), but were known as Oeffag Albatros D.III in Austro-Hungary, and just Oeffag D.III in Poland. The Oeffag aircraft were built in three main versions (series 53.2, 153, 253) using the 138, 149, or 168 kW (185, 200, or 225 hp) Austro-Daimler engines respectively. The Austro-Daimlers provided improved performance over the Mercedes D.IIIa engine. For cold weather operations, Oeffag aircraft featured a winter cowling which fully enclosed the cylinder heads. Austrian pilots often removed the propeller spinner from early production aircraft, since it was prone to falling off in flight. Beginning with aircraft 112 of the series 153 production run, Oeffag introduced a new rounded nose that eliminated the spinner. Remarkably, German wind-tunnel tests showed that the simple rounded nose improved propeller efficiency and raised the top speed by 14 km/h (9 mph). All Oeffag variants were armed with two 8 mm (.315 in) Schwarzlose machine guns. In most aircraft, the guns were buried in the fuselage, where they were inaccessible to the pilot. In service, the Schwarzlose proved to be somewhat less reliable than the 7.92 mm (.312 in) LMG 08/15, mainly due to problems with the synchronization gear. The Schwarzlose also had a poor rate of fire until the 1916 model was provided with a modification developed by Ludwig Kral. At the request of pilots, the guns were relocated to the upper fuselage decking late in the series 253 production run. It helped to warm up the guns on high altitude. This created a new problem; the Schwarzlose operated via blowback and the weapon contained a cartridge oiler to prevent cases from sticking in the chamber while the extractor ripped their rims off. With guns mounted directly in front of the pilot, oil released during firing interfered with aim. Oeffag engineers noted the wing failures of the D.III and modified the lower wing to use thicker ribs and spar flanges. These changes, as well as other detail improvements, largely resolved the structural problems that had plagued German versions of the D.III. In service, the Oeffag aircraft proved to be popular, robust, and effective. Oeffag built approximately 526 D.III aircraft between May 1917 and the Armistice (586 in total according to other publications). Postwar After the Armistice, in early 1919 Poland bought 38 series 253 aircraft from the factory, ten more were rebuilt from wartime leftovers. Poland operated them in the Polish-Soviet War of 1919-20 in two fighter escadrilles (Nos. 7 and 13). Due to rare air encounters, they were primarily employed in ground-attack duties. The Poles thought so highly of the D.III that they sent a letter of commendation to the Oeffag factory. They remained in service until 1923. Poland also had 26 original Albatros D.III, mostly captured from former occupants, but they were withdrawn from use in December 1919 due to structural weaknesses. The newly formed Czechoslovak Air Force also obtained and operated several Oeffag machines after the war. Modern reproductions An Austrian aviation enthusiast, Koloman Mayrhofer, has completed a pair of Albatros D.III (Oeffag) series 253 reproductions. Both are equipped with vintage Austro-Daimler engines. One aircraft will be flown and operated by a non-profit organization. The second aircraft is slated for static display at the Flugmuseum AVIATICUM, near Wiener-Neustadt, Austria. Operators 1) Austria-Hungary Luftfahrtruppen Austro-Hungarian Navy 2) Bulgaria Bulgarian Air Force 3) Czechoslovakia Czechoslovak Air Force - (postwar) 4) German Empire Luftstreitkräfte Kaiserliche Marine 5) Kingdom of Hejaz Hejaz Air Force 6) Lithuania Lithuanian Air Force - (postwar) 7) Poland Polish Air Force (postwar) 8) Ottoman Empire Ottoman Air Force and Turkish Air Force (postwar) 9) Kingdom of Yugoslavia Yugoslav Royal Air Force (postwar) Specifications (D.III (Oef) Series 153) Albatros D.III (Data from Austro-Hungarian Army Aircraft of World War One) General characteristics Crew: 1 Length: 7.35 m (24 ft 1 in) Upper wingspan: 9 m (29 ft 6 in) Lower wingspan: 8.73 m (28 ft 8 in) Height: 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in) Wing area: 20.56 m2 (221.3 sq ft) Empty weight: 710 kg (1,565 lb) Gross weight: 987 kg (2,176 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Austro-Daimler 200hp 6-cylinder water-cooled in-line piston engine, 150 kW (200 hp) Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch wooden propeller Performance Maximum speed: 188 km/h (117 mph, 102 kn) Time to altitude: - 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in 2 minutes 35 seconds - 2,000 m (6,600 ft) in 6 minutes 35 seconds - 3,000 m (9,800 ft) in 11 minutes 20 seconds - 4,000 m (13,000 ft) in 18 minutes 50 seconds - 5,000 m (16,000 ft) in 33 minutes Wing loading: 48.1 kg/m2 (9.9 lb/sq ft) Power/mass: 0.20 hp/kg Armament Guns: 2 × 8 mm (0.315 in) Schwarzlose machine guns Related development D.I D.II D.IV D.V Ernst Udet in front of his Albatros D.III (serial D.1941/16) Albatros D.III fighters of Jasta 11 at Douai, France (the second closest aircraft was one of several flown by Manfred von Richthofen) Lineup of Albatros D.III fighters of Jagdstaffel 50 - mid to late 1917 (the subdued staffel scheme of black and white stripes and chevrons can be seen on the fuselage and tailplanes of most machines, which are otherwise in factory finish) Albatros D.III wreck in Flanders, 1917 Albatros D.III (Oeffag) series 153, with spinner removed Albatros D.III (Oeffag) series 253, with later production rounded nose Albatros D.III (Oeffag) series 253 of Polish 7th Air Escadrille A captured Albatros D.III paraded through London, November 1918 Official Albatros D.III Baubeschreibung drawing Albatros D.IV Albatros D.IV Role - Fighter Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Primary user - Luftstreitkräfte Number built - 3 The Albatros D.IV was an experimental German fighter aircraft built and tested during World War I. Design and development The D.IV was designed to test a geared version of the 120 kW (160 hp) Mercedes D.III engine. Unlike the ungeared version, the geared engine was completely enclosed within the fuselage. The airframe basically combined the D.II wing cellule with the D.Va fuselage along with minor alterations to the rudder balance and the horizontal stabilizer. Three examples were ordered in November 1916, but only one was flown, which was tested with several types of propeller, but excessive vibration problems and limited performance increase precluded further development. Specifications (Data from German Aircraft of the First World War and The Complete Book of Fighters) General characteristics Crew: 1 Length: 7.33 m (24 ft 1 in) Wingspan: 9.05 m (29 ft 8 in) Height: 2.59 m (8 ft 6 in) Wing area: 20.50 m2 (220.7 sq ft) Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.III geared water-cooled in-line piston engine, 120 kW (160 hp) Propellers: 2-bladed wooden propeller Performance Maximum speed: 165 km/h (103 mph, 89 kn) Range: 350 km (220 mi, 190 nmi) Endurance: 2 hours 12 minutes Rate of climb: 2.6 m/s (510 ft/min) Time to altitude: 5,000 m (16,404 ft) in 32 minutes Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Nieuport 17 Albatros D.V Albatros D.V Role - Fighter Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Designer - Robert Thelen First flight - April 1917 Primary users - Luftstreitkräfte / Kaiserliche Marine / Polish Air Force / Ottoman Air Force Number built - c. 2,500 Developed from - Albatros D.III The Albatros D.V is a fighter aircraft of the German aircraft manufacturer Albatros Flugzeugwerke. It was the final development of the Albatros D.I family and the last Albatros fighter to see operational service with the Luftstreitkräfte (Imperial German Air Service) during the First World War. The D.V was developed from the D.III during early 1917. Sharing many similarities to its predecessor, the most visible change was its new elliptical cross-section fuselage. The D.V was brought into service in May 1917 but early operations were plagued by structural failures of the lower wing. With its limited performance improvements this resulted in pilots expressing their preference for the older D.III. Albatros produced the improved D.Va with modifications for greater structural strength, although some structural concerns remained. Despite its well-known shortcomings and general obsolescence, approximately 900 D.V and 1,612 D.Va aircraft were produced at the Johannisthal and Schneidemühl factories before production was terminated in April 1918. The D.Va continued to fly in German hands until the end of fighting with the Armistice of 11 November 1918. The Polish Air Force and Ottoman Air Force also operated the type. A pair of original D.Va aircraft have been preserved and some airworthy reproductions have been built. Design and development In April 1917, Albatros received an order from Inspektion der Fliegertruppen (Idflieg) for an improved version of the D.III. The design process was headed by the aeronautical engineer Robert Thelen, the company's chief designer at Johannisthal. Development proceeded at a rapid pace, the resulting D.V prototype performed its maiden flight late in April 1917. This prototype retained the standard rudder of the Johannisthal-built D.III; subsequent production aircraft used the enlarged rudder featured on D.IIIs built by the Ostdeutsche Albatroswerke (OAW), in what was known as the independent city of Schneidemühl. The D.V had a larger spinner and ventral fin and closely resembled the D.III with the same 127 kW (170 hp) Mercedes D.IIIa engine. The most notable difference was a new, elliptical cross-section fuselage which was 32 kg (71 lb) lighter than the partially flat-sided fuselage of the earlier D.I to D.III designs. The new elliptical cross-section required an additional longeron on each side of the fuselage and the fin, rudder and tailplane initially remained unchanged from the D.III. Compared to the D.III, the upper wing of the D.V was 121 mm (4.75 in) closer to the fuselage, while the lower wings attached to the fuselage without a fairing. The D.V wings were almost identical to those of the standard D.III, which had adopted a sesquiplane wing arrangement broadly similar to the French Nieuport 11. The only significant difference between wings of the D.III and D.V was a revised routing of the aileron cables that placed them entirely within the upper wing. Idflieg conducted structural tests on the fuselage but not the wings of the D.V. Early examples of the D.V featured a large headrest but it was usually removed in service as it interfered with the pilot's field of view. The headrest was deleted from the second production batch. Aircraft deployed in Palestine had a pair of wing radiators, better to cope with the warmer climate. Idflieg issued production contracts for 200 D.V aircraft in April 1917, followed by additional orders of 400 in May and 300 in July. Initial production of the D.V was undertaken by the Johannisthal factory, while the Schneidemühl factory produced the D.III for the rest of 1917. Operational history The D.V entered service with the German Air Force in May 1917 but losses attributed to structural failures of the lower wing occurred. The aviation historian Jon Guttman said "Within the month Idflieg was doing belated stress testing and concluding, to its dismay, that the D.V’s sesquiplane wing layout was even more vulnerable than that of its predecessor.". The outboard sections of the D.V upper wing also suffered failures, requiring additional wire bracing and the fuselage sometimes cracked during rough landings. Against these problems, the D.V offered very little improvement in performance. Front line pilots were considerably dismayed and many preferred the older D.III. Manfred von Richthofen was critical of the new aircraft in a July 1917 letter, where he described the D.V as "so obsolete and so ridiculously inferior to the English that one can't do anything with this aircraft". British tests of a captured D.V revealed that the aircraft was slow to manoeuvre, heavy on the controls and tiring to fly. Albatros responded with the D.Va, which featured stronger wing spars, heavier wing ribs and a reinforced fuselage. The modified D.Va was 23 kg (51 lb) heavier than the D.III but the structural problems were not entirely cured. Use of the high-compression 130 kW (170 hp) Mercedes D.IIIaü engine offset the increased weight of the D.Va. The D.Va also reverted to the D.III aileron cable linkage, running outwards through the lower wing, then upwards to the ailerons, much the same as the earlier Albatros B.I unarmed two-seater had used before 1914, providing a more positive control response. The wings of the D.III and D.Va were interchangeable. To further strengthen the wing, the D.Va added a small diagonal brace connecting the forward interplane strut to the leading edge of the lower wing; the brace was also retrofitted to some D.Vs. During August 1917, Idflieg placed orders for 262 D.Va aircraft; follow-on orders for another 250 aircraft were received in September and as 550 during the following month. Ostdeutsche Albatros Werke, which had been engaged in production of the D.III, received orders for 600 D.Va aircraft in October. Deliveries of the D.Va commenced in October 1917. The structural problems of the Fokker Dr.I and the mediocre performance of the Pfalz D.III left the Luftstreitkräfte with no alternative to the D.Va until the Fokker D.VII entered service in mid-1918. Production of the D.Va ceased in April 1918. In May 1918, 131 D.V and 928 D.Va aircraft were in service on the Western Front; the numbers declined as the Fokker D.VII and other types replaced the Albatros in the final months of the war. By 31 August, fewer than 400 Albatros fighters of all types remained at the front but they continued in service until the Armistice of 11 November 1918 that ended the conflict. Surviving aircraft and reproductions Two D.Va aircraft survive in museums. 1) It is believed serial D.7161/17 served with Jasta 46 before being captured sometime in April or May 1918. In 1919, the aircraft was presented to the De Young Memorial Museum in San Francisco, California. The National Air and Space Museum acquired the aircraft in 1949. It was placed in storage until restoration began in 1977. Since 1979, D.7161/17 has been on display at the Air and Space Museum, in Washington D.C. This aircraft carries the distinctive personal marking of "Stropp" on the fuselage sides. 2) Serial D.5390/17 was shot down during a fight with an Australian Flying Corps R.E.8 on 17 December 1917. It landed intact behind the lines of the 21st Infantry Battalion of the Second Australian Division, AIF. The unit recovered the aircraft and took the pilot, Leutnant Rudolf Clausz of Jasta 29, prisoner. In February 1918, the War Office ceded D.5390/17 to the AFC as a war trophy. It was eventually put on display at the Australian War Memorial. The aircraft was removed from display in 2001 and underwent extensive restoration at the Treloar Technology Centre. In 2008, D.5390/17 returned to public display at the AWM's ANZAC Hall in Canberra. Cole Palen built a flying replica for his Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome (in Bavarian ace Hans Böhning's colour scheme for its rear fuselage). (In 2013 the Albatros entered the shop for restoration, where the decision was made to change the livery for the first time. The aircraft was repainted in the brilliant colours of the D.V/D.Va flown by Lt. Hans Böhning of Jagdstaffel 36/Jagdstaffel 76 and returned to the air in May 2014.) A Ranger-powered replica, built in Canada, now flies with the New Zealand Warbirds Association at Ardmore, Auckland. A number of authentically-constructed airworthy Albatros D.Va reproductions have been built in New Zealand with original and new-build engines. One example is on display at the Royal Air Force Museum in Colindale, London, another is owned by Kermit Weeks in Florida, USA, while two others remain flying with TVAL in NZ. Operators - German Empire Luftstreitkräfte Kaiserliche Marine - Poland Polish Air Force (postwar) - Ottoman Empire Ottoman Air Force Specifications (D.V) (Data from German Aircraft of the First World War) General characteristics Crew: 1 Length: 7.33 m (24 ft 1 in) Wingspan: 9.05 m (29 ft 8 in) Height: 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in) Wing area: 21.2 m2 (228 sq ft) Empty weight: 687 kg (1,515 lb) Gross weight: 937 kg (2,066 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.IIIaü piston engine, 150 kW (200 hp) Propellers: 2-bladed wooden propeller Performance Maximum speed: 186 km/h (116 mph, 100 kn) Endurance: 350 km Service ceiling: 5,700 m (18,700 ft) Rate of climb: 4.17 m/s (800 ft/min) Time to altitude: 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in four minutes Armament Guns: 2 × 7.92 mm (0.312 in) LMG 08/15 machine guns Albatros D.Va reproduction at Duxford Air Show, 2012 Captured Albatros D.V (serial D.1162/17) with British roundels A pilot's-eye view from an Albatros D.V cockpit German type D-5a Albatros biplane scout D.Va (serial D.5390/17) on display at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra Eduard Ritter von Schleich in his D.V (serial D.2034/17) Official Albatros D.V Baubeschreibung drawing, submitted to IdFlieg Albatros D.VI D.VI Role - Fighter National origin - Germany Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Number built - 1 Albatros D.VI was the designation given to a prototype single-seat twin-boom pusher biplane built in 1917 in Germany. It was armed with a fixed 7.92 mm (0.312 in) LMG 08/15 machine gun and a fixed 20 mm (0.787 in) Becker Type M2 cannon. The aircraft's undercarriage was damaged on landing from its maiden flight in February 1918 and was never repaired, the project being abandoned in May of that year due to other projects of higher priority. The 130 kW (170 hp) Mercedes D.IIIa engine was eventually removed for use in a different aircraft. Specifications (Data from The Complete Book of Fighters) General characteristics Crew: 1 Length: 7.75 m (25 ft 5 in) Wingspan: 9.8 m (32 ft 2 in) Empty weight: 638 kg (1,406 lb) Gross weight: 880 kg (1,940 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Daimler D.IIIa , 130 kW (180 hp) Armament 1x fixed 20 mm (0.787 in) Becker Type M2 20 mm cannon 1x fixed 7.92 mm (0.312 in) LMG 08/15 machine-gun Albatros D.VII Albatros D.VII Role - Fighter Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Primary user - Germany The Albatros D.VII was a German prototype single-seat fighter biplane flown in August 1917. It was powered by a water-cooled Benz Bz.IIIb V8 engine developing 145 kW (195 hp) and armed with two 7.92 mm (.312 in) machine guns. The D.VII had ailerons on both upper and lower wings linked by hinged struts. The D.VII's performance was deemed an insufficient advance over existing aircraft to justify further development. Albatros D.VIII Albatros D.VIII Role - Fighter National origin - Germany Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Albatros D.VIII was the Idflieg designation for the Albatros L.35 single seat fighter. Albatros D.IX Albatros D.IX Role - Fighter Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Primary user - Germany Number built - 1 Albatros D.IX was a German prototype single-seat fighter built in early 1918. It differed from previous marks by using a simplified fuselage with a flat bottom and slab sides. The wings and tail were similar to those of the Albatros D.VII. Power was provided by a 130 kW (170 hp) Mercedes D.IIIa engine. The D.IX was armed with twin synchronised 7.92 mm (0.312 in) LMG 08/15 machine guns. The prototype exhibited disappointing performance and the project was discontinued. Specifications (Data from The Complete Book of Fighters) General characteristics Crew: 1 Length: 6.65 m (21 ft 10 in) Wingspan: 10.4 m (34 ft 1 in) Empty weight: 677 kg (1,492 lb) Gross weight: 897 kg (1,977 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.IIIa , 130 kW (180 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 154 km/h (96 mph, 83 kn) Endurance: 1.5 hours Time to altitude: 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in 4 minutes Armament 2x 7.92 mm (0.312 in) LMG 08/15 machine guns synchronised to fire through the propeller Albatros D.X D.X Role - Fighter National origin - Germany Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke First flight - 1918 Status - Prototype only Number built - 1 Variants - Albatros Dr.II The Albatros D.X was a German prototype single-seat fighter biplane developed in 1918 in parallel with the Albatros D.IXme. Design and development The D.X used the same slab-sided and flat-bottomed fuselage as the D.IX, which was a departure from previous Albatros designs, but was powered by a 145 kW (195 hp) Benz Bz.IIIbo water-cooled V8 engine in place of the D.IX's Mercedes D.IIIa straight-six. The D.X participated in the second D-type contest at Adlershof in June 1918, but development ceased at the prototype stage. Specifications (D.X) (Data from German Aircraft of the First World War) General characteristics Crew: 1 Length: 6.18 m (20 ft 3 in) Wingspan: 9.84 m (32 ft 3 in) Height: 2.75 m (9 ft 0 in) Empty weight: 666 kg (1,468 lb) Gross weight: 905 kg (1,995 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Benz Bz.IIIbo V-8 water-cooled piston engine, 145 kW (195 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 170 km/h (110 mph, 92 kn) Endurance: 1 hour 30 minutes Rate of climb: 3.79 m/s (746 ft/min) Time to altitude: 5,000 m (16,404 ft) in 22 minutes Armament Guns: 2x 7.92 mm (0.312 in) LMG 08/15 machine guns Related development Albatros D.IX Albatros Dr.II Albatros D.XI Albatros D.XI Role - Fighter Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke First flight - February 1918 Retired - 1918 Primary user - Germany Number built - 2 The Albatros D.XI was a German single-seat fighter sesquiplane first flown in February 1918. It was the first Albatros fighter to use a rotary engine, in the form of the 120 kW (160 hp) Siemens-Halske Sh.III, and also featured a new wing construction with diagonal struts from the fuselage replacing traditional wire bracing. Design & development The wings had unequal spans with the upper planes having greater span than the lower ones, and were braced by I-struts with an aerofoil cross-section, additional rigidity being provided by twinned diagonal struts from the base of these to the top of the fuselage, located where the "landing wires" of a normal wire-braced biplane would be. The use of a rotary engine necessitated a large-diameter propeller and a correspondingly tall undercarriage. The D.XI was armed with the same twin 7.92 mm (.312 in) Spandau LMG 08/15 machine guns employed on other Albatros fighters. Two prototypes were built, the first having balanced, parallel-chord ailerons and a four-blade propeller; and the second with inversely tapered, unbalanced ailerons and a two-blade propeller. The D.XI was not put into production. Specifications (D.XI) General characteristics Crew: one pilot Length: 5.58 m (18 ft 4 in) Wingspan: 8.00 m (26 ft 3 in) Wing area: 18.5 m2 (199 sq ft) Empty weight: 494 kg (1,089 lb) Gross weight: 723 kg (1,594 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Siemens-Halske Sh.III , 120 kW (160 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 190 km/h (120 mph, 100 kn) Endurance: 2 hours Armament 2 × forward-firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) LMG 08/15 machine guns Albatros D.XII Albatros D.XII Role - Fighter Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke First flight - March 1918 Status - retired Primary user - Germany Number built - 2 The Albatros D.XII was a German single-seat fighter biplane first flown in March 1918. It was the last of the Albatros fighters completed and flown before the end of World War I and had the same slab-sided fuselage seen on the Albatros D.X. Design and development The first example of the D.XII used a 134 kW (180 hp) Mercedes D.IIIa engine and had balanced, parallel-chord ailerons. The second, built in April 1918, featured unbalanced, inversely tapered ailerons and Bohme undercarriage with pneumatic shock absorbers. Although it was initially fitted with the Mercedes engine, it was later re-engined with a BMW IIIa producing 138 kW (185 hp). In this form, the D.XII competed in the third Adlershof D-Type Contest in October 1918. No further aircraft were built. Specifications (D.XII) (Data from German Aircraft of the First World War) General characteristics Crew: 1 Length: 5.785 m (19 ft 0 in) Wingspan: 8.2 m (26 ft 11 in) Height: 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in) Wing area: 19.84 m2 (213.6 sq ft) Empty weight: 580 kg (1,279 lb) Gross weight: 760 kg (1,676 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.III 6-cyl. water-cooled in-line piston engine, 120 kW (160 hp) (first prototype) second prototype - 1x BMW IIIa 6-cyl. water-cooled in-line piston engine developing 138 kW (185hp) Performance Maximum speed: 180 km/h (110 mph, 97 kn) Endurance: 1 hour Rate of climb: 2.47 m/s (486 ft/min) Time to altitude: 8,000 m (26,247 ft) in 54 minutes Armament Guns: 2x 7.92 mm (0.312 in) LMG 08/15 machine guns Albatros Dr.I Albatros Dr.I Role - Fighter Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Primary user - Luftstreitkräfte Number built - 1 Developed from - Albatros D.V The Albatros Dr. I was a German fighter triplane derivative of the D.V fitted with three pairs of wings instead of two. Identical in most other respects to the D.V, in the summer of 1917 it was flown side by side with the existing biplane in comparison trials. There was no discernible performance advantage and development was halted at the prototype stage. Specifications (Data from Gray and Thetford 1962 . p. 266) General characteristics Crew: 1 Length: 7.3 m (23 ft 11 in) Wingspan: 8.7 m (28 ft 7 in) Height: 2.42 m (7 ft 11 in) Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.III 6-cylinderinline water-cooled, 120 kW (160 hp) Propellers: 2-bladed Armament 2 x lMG 08 machine guns Albatros Dr.II Albatros Dr.II Role - Fighter Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Primary user - Luftstreitkräfte The Albatros Dr.II was a German prototype single-seat fighter triplane, the sole example of which flew in the spring of 1918. It was similar in many respects to the D.X biplane, employing among other features the same 145 kW (195 hp) Benz Bz.IIIbo engine and twin 7.92 mm (.312 in) machine guns. The three pairs of wings were sharply staggered, braced by broad I-struts, and shared parallel chords. All three pairs were equipped with ailerons, which were linked by hinged struts. Specifications (Dr.II) (Data from German Aircraft of the First World War) General characteristics Crew: 1 Length: 6.18 m (20 ft 3 in) Wingspan: 10 m (32 ft 10 in) Height: 3.34 m (10 ft 11 in) Wing area: 26.6 m2 (286 sq ft) Empty weight: 676 kg (1,490 lb) Gross weight: 915 kg (2,017 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Benz Bz.IIIbo V-8 water-cooled piston engine, 145 kW (194 hp) Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller Performance Wing loading: 25.4 kg/m2 (5.2 lb/sq ft) Power/mass: 0.16 kW/kg (0.097 hp/lb) Albatros G.II G.II Role - Medium bomber Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke First flight - 1916 Primary user - Germany Number built - 1 The Albatros G.II, (Company post-war designation L.11), was a twin-engined German biplane bomber of World War I. Development Designed as a medium bomber, the G.II did not share any attributes with the larger G.I, being a single bay biplane with thick section upper wings and rigid X member inter-plane struts. The graceful lines of the fuselage were spoilt by the twin nose-wheel assembly, intended to reduce damage on nose-overs and at rest with a forward centre of gravity. A conventional tail-unit terminated the rear fuselage. The engines were installed in pusher nacelles, supported by struts from the fuselage and the lower wing trailing edges had cut-outs to allow the engines to be mounted further forward than otherwise possible. Only a single prototype was built which demonstrated a relatively poor performance so further development was concentrated on the more powerful Albatros G.III. Operators - German Empire Luftstreitkräfte Specifications (G.II) (Data from German Aircraft of the First World War) Powerplant: 2 × Benz Bz.III 6 cyl. water-cooled in-line piston engine, 112 kW (150 hp) each Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era A.E.G. G.I Daimler R.I Union G.I Albatros G.III G.III Role - Bomber Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke First flight - mid 1916 Introduction - 1917 Primary user - Germany The Albatros G.III (company L.21), was a German bomber aircraft development of World War I. It was a large, single-bay biplane of unequal span and unstaggered wings. Power was provided by two Benz Bz.IVa pusher engines installed in nacelles carried between the wings. An unusual feature of the design was that the lower wing was provided with cutouts for the propellers, allowing the engine nacelles to be mounted further forward than would have been otherwise possible. Few were built, these seeing service mostly on the Macedonian Front in 1917. Operators - German Empire Luftstreitkräfte Specifications (G.III) General characteristics Crew: three, pilot, observer, and engineer Length: 11.9 m (39 ft 0 in) Wingspan: 18.0 m (59 ft 0 in) Height: 4.2 m (13 ft 9 in) Wing area: 79.0 m2 (850 sq ft) Empty weight: 2,064 kg (4,550 lb) Gross weight: 3,150 kg (6,945 lb) Powerplant: 2 × Benz Bz.IVa , 164 kW (220 hp) each Performance Maximum speed: 150 km/h (94 mph, 82 kn) Range: 600 km (370 mi, 320 nmi) Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,400 ft) Rate of climb: 1.3 m/s (260 ft/min) Armament 2 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) Parabellum MG14 machine guns 325 kg (720 lb) of bombs Albatros G.III Albatros J.I Role - Ground-attack aircraft Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke First flight - 1917 Introduction - 1917 Retired - 1921 Primary users - Luftstreitkräfte / Polish Air Force Number built - ~240 Developed from - Albatros C.XII The Albatros J.I was an armored ground attack airplane designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Albatros Flugzeugwerke. It saw active combat during the final months of the First World War. The J.I was a "J-class" derivative of the Albatros C.XII reconnaissance aircraft; it shared both the wings and tail of the C.XII while adopting a new semi-armoured fuselage to protect its occupants from the anticipated ground fire from conducting low-altitude attack and reconnaissance missions over the battlefield. It was armed with three 7.92 mm (.312 in) machine guns, two of which were fixed in a downwards position for strafing ground targets. The heavy armouring around the crew compartment negatively impacted its performance capabilities. During April 1918, units of the Luftstreitkräfte began receiving the J.I; it was commonly well-received by its crews due to its protection and good visibility. While the newer Albatros J.II began to replace it in frontline use only months later, the aircraft continued to be operated through to the Armistice of 11 November 1918 that ended the conflict. In addition to Germany, the J.I also was operated by Austria-Hungary, Poland, Norway, and Ukraine. Poland, which had captured ten aircraft during the Greater Poland Uprising, deployed them into combat during the Polish-Soviet War; the Ukrainian People's Army also used J.Is against the Soviet Union. Design and development The Albatros J.I was developed specifically as a "J-class" aircraft, which had the purpose of conducting low-altitude battlefield reconnaissance and ground-attack missions with the intended mission altitudes being around 50 meters (150 feet). Albatros' design team opted to develop the J.I as a derivative of the Albatros C.XII reconnaissance aircraft. In terms of its general configuration, the J.I shared both the wings and tail of the C.XII while adopting a new slab-sided fuselage, which was semi-armoured to protect its occupants from ground fire. This steel plate armouring around the crew compartment, which weighed 490 kg (1,080 lb), came at a substantial cost in terms of performance. The poor climb performance was not deemed to be particularly impactful as the J.I was intended to continuously fly at a relatively low altitude throughout its entire mission profile. The overall design of the fuselage conformed to Albatros' established conventions, comprising multi-ply formers, six primary longerons, and skinned using plywood that was both pinned and glued to the structure. While the bottom of the fuselage was flat, the top decking had an almost semi-circular curvature. Both the sides and bottom of the fuselage were covered by 5 mm thick chrome-nickel steel plate, which was bolted directly onto the wooden frame. Aft of the cockpit, the exterior was covered by plywood instead. To avoid compromising the armour, there was no cutaway on either side of the forward cockpit to facilitate the pilot's entry and egress; instead, an outwards-folding panel was present. Unlike the C.XII, which was powered by the Mercedes D.IVa engine, capable of up to 190 kW (260 hp), the J.I was instead equipped with the Benz Bz.IV, which could produce up to 150 kW (200 hp); this choice in powerplant in combination with the considerably heavier fuselage was heavily responsible for the J.I's performance capabilities being marginal at best. While partially covered by rounded sheet metal, the nose of the aircraft was unarmoured and thus the engine was left relatively unprotected. As a consequence of the nose's downwards sloping, pilots of the J.I enjoyed relatively favourable forward visibility. As a ground-attack aircraft, the J.I was armed with a pair of fixed 7.92 mm (.312 in) Spandau LMG 08/15 machine guns that faced downwards for the purpose of strafing ground targets; the observer was also provided with a separate freely-moving 7.92 mm Parabellum MG14 machine gun. Operational history During April 1918, units of the Luftstreitkräfte began receiving the J.I. Shortly thereafter, the type saw its combat debut during the Battle of the Lys. The J.I were typically issued to Flieger Abteilungen in support of the Army Corps or Army Headquarters; operationally, it was typically flown in flights comprising three to six aircraft at a time. The type was relatively popular amongst its crews, often due to the armor protection provided and the good visibility facilitated by its low set engine. It was commonly deemed to be an operational success, although a frequent criticism of the J.I was that its armour was still inadequate. By June 1918, the new Albatros J.II had started to replace J.I at the front. Nevertheless, the older aircraft nevertheless served until the end of the conflict. Two were bought by Austria-Hungary. After the conflict, J.Is remained in operation for a time with several nations, including Poland, Norway, and Ukraine. Poland was the largest post-war user of the type, operating 10 aircraft, which were captured during the Greater Poland Uprising. These J.Is were used during the Polish-Soviet War. Additionally, between September 1920 and February 1921, four aircraft were lent by the Polish to an allied 1st Zaporizhska Aviation Escadrille of the Ukrainian People's Army. Operators - German Empire Luftstreitkräfte - Poland Polish Air Force operated 10 aircraft postwar until 1921 - Ukraine Ukrainian People's Army operated four aircraft, lent by the Polish Specifications (J.I) (Data from German Aircraft of the First World War) General characteristics Crew: two (pilot and observer) Length: 8.80 m (28 ft 10 in) Wingspan: 14.14 m (46 ft 5 in) Height: 3.37 m (11 ft 1 in) Wing area: 43.0 m2 (463 sq ft) Empty weight: 1,398 kg (3,082 lb) Gross weight: 1,808 kg (3,986 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Benz Bz.IV , 150 kW (200 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 140 km/h (90 mph, 78 kn) Range: 350 km (220 mi, 190 nmi) Service ceiling: 4,500 m (14,800 ft) Rate of climb: 2.0 m/s (400 ft/min) Armament 2 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) Spandau LMG 08/15 machine guns, fixed downward 1 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) Parabellum MG14 machine gun for observer Related development Albatros C.XII Albatros J.II Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era AEG J.I AEG J.II Junkers J.I A captured German Albatros J.I on display in the United States, circa 1919 An Albatros J.I Albatros J.I drawing Albatros J.II J.II Role - Ground-attack aircraft Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Primary user - Luftstreitkräfte The Albatros J.II was a German single-engine, single-seat, biplane ground-attack aircraft of World War I. Design and development Albatros J.II was a development of the Albatros J.I with increased fuselage armour and a more powerful engine. The J.II dispensed with the propeller spinner of the earlier aircraft. Operators - German Empire Luftstreitkräfte - Lithuania Lithuanian Air Force - 3 units (production No. 705, 710, 714) Specifications (J.II) General characteristics Crew: two, pilot and observer Powerplant: 1 × Benz Bz.IVa , 164 kW (220 hp) Related development Albatros C.XII Albatros J.I Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era AEG J.I AEG J.II Junkers J.I Albatros J.II drawing Albatros L 45 Within military aviation in Germany, the Albatros L.45 was given the Idflieg designation Albatros D.XIIIa. Albatros L 56 The Albatros L 56 was an experimental open transport biplane. It was cancelled when aircraft such as the Fokker F.II, Junkers F 13, and Sablatnig P.III were built. Specifications Engine: 1 Benz Bz.IV Length: 9.25 meters Span: 15.68 meters Weight: 1040 kilograms empty, 1800 kilograms when flying Albatros L 57 The Albatros L 57 was an early monoplane. It was a project for an airliner but was never completed, and as such never entered production. The top covering of the fuselage is swept up higher as compared to other similar planes of the era. The plane was designed to have up to six passengers. Specifications Engine: Mercedes D.IIIa Length: 10.42 meters Height: 3.55 meters Span: 14.20 meters Wing Area: 34.50 meters2 Weights: Empty: 1036 kilograms; Flying Weight: 1850 kilograms Max. speed at sea level: 149 km/h Cruising Speed at Sea Level: 120 km/h Ceiling: 3450 meters Range on full tank: 540 km Albatros L 57 Schematic of the Albatros Albatros L 58 L 58 Role - Airliner Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke First flight - 1923 Primary user - Deutsche Luft Hansa and its predecessor companies Number built - 7 The Albatros L 58 was a German airliner of the 1920s. It was a single-engine cantilever monoplane which accommodated the pilot in an open cockpit at the top of the fuselage, and seated five-six passengers within it. Variants L 58 - original production version with Maybach Mb.IVa engine and eight-passenger capacity L 58a - version with Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engine and six-passenger capacity Operators - Germany Deutsche Luftreederei Deutsche Aero-Lloyd Deutsche Luft Hansa Specifications (L 58) General characteristics Crew: one pilot Capacity: 5 passengers Length: 10.89 m (35 ft 9 in) Wingspan: 18.00 m (59 ft 0 in) Height: 3.80 m (12 ft 6 in) Wing area: 44.5 m2 (479 sq ft) Empty weight: 1,370 kg (3,020 lb) Gross weight: 2,250 kg (4,960 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Maybach Mb.IVa , 180 kW (240 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 150 km/h (90 mph, 78 kn) Range: 540 km (340 mi, 300 nmi) Service ceiling: 3,500 m (11,500 ft) Rate of climb: 1.4 m/s (280 ft/min) Albatros L 59 (not to be confused with Aero L-59 Super Albatros) L 59 Role - Sport aircraft Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke First flight - 1923 Produced - 4 (both variants) The Albatros L 59 was a single-seat German utility aircraft of the 1920s. It was a single-engine low-wing cantilever monoplane with large, spatted wide track undercarriage attached, unusually for the time not to the fuselage but to the wing roots. The whole aircraft was covered in 3-ply. The L.59 was flying by September 1923. Variants L.59 Single seat, 60 hp (45 kW) Siemens-Halske Sh.4 5-cylinder radial. One built. L.60 Two seats, 80 hp (60 kW) Siemens-Halske Sh 5 7-cylinder radial. Identical dimensions, slightly heavier empty and faster both level and climbing. Three built. Specifications (L 59) (Data from Flight 13 September 1923 . pp. 581-2) General characteristics Crew: one pilot Length: 5.40 m (17 ft 9 in) Wingspan: 10.30 m (33 ft 9 in) Height: 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in) Wing area: 10.0 m2 (108 sq ft) Empty weight: 350 kg (772 lb) Gross weight: 485 kg (1,069 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Siemens-Halske Sh.4 5-cylinder radial, 45 kW (60 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 140 km/h (90 mph, 78 kn) at 3,000 m (9,840 ft) Range: 525 km (327 mi, 284 nmi) Rate of climb: 1.9 m/s (365 ft/min) to 1,000 m (3,280 ft) L 59 (L.59) Albatros L 60 L 60 Role - Utility aircraft Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke First flight - 1923 Produced - 3 The Albatros L 60 was a two-seat German utility aircraft of the 1920s developed from the Albatros L 59. It was a single-engine low-wing cantilever monoplane with large, spatted undercarriage. Specifications (L 60) General characteristics Crew: one pilot Capacity: 1 passenger Length: 5.40 m (17 ft 9 in) Wingspan: 10.30 m (33 ft 9 in) Height: 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in) Wing area: 10.0 m2 (108 sq ft) Empty weight: 369 kg (814 lb) Gross weight: 600 kg (1,323 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Siemens-Halske Sh 5, 60 kW (80 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 165 km/h (100 mph, 87 kn) Range: 400 km (250 mi, 220 nmi) Service ceiling: 3,000 m (9,800 ft) Rate of climb: 2.1 m/s (410 ft/min) Albatros L 65 L 65 Role - Reconnaissance aircraft Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke First flight - 1925 Number built - 2 The Albatros L 65 was a German two-seat reconnaissance fighter biplane first flown in 1925. Design and development Under the Treaty of Versailles, military aircraft production was restricted in Germany, so Albatros Flugzeugwerke established a subsidiary to build the L 65 in Lithuania. This company was named Allgemeine Flug-Gesellschaft (A.F.G.) Memel, hence the L 65 was also known as the Memel A.F.G.1 (Memel being the German name for the city of Klaipeda). The L 65 had a single-bay, staggered biplane configuration and was constructed of wood with a plywood skin. The wings were braced by interplane I-struts of broad aerofoil cross-section. Two prototypes were built, the first powered by a 340 kW (450 hp) water-cooled 12-cylinder "broad-arrow" Napier Lion engine; the second had its first flight in 1926 and had a 421 kW (565 hp) version of the Lion. The second prototype underwent evaluation by the Reichswehr to equip the clandestine training school at Lipetsk, but the Heinkel HD 17 was selected instead and no further aircraft were produced. Specifications (L 65, second prototype) General characteristics Crew: two, pilot and observer Length: 7.58 m (24 ft 10 in) Wingspan: 12.40 m (40 ft 8 in) Height: 3.38 m (11 ft 1 in) Wing area: 27.8 m2 (299 sq ft) Empty weight: 1,260 kg (2,780 lb) Gross weight: 1,840 kg (4,060 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Napier Lion XI , 420 kW (565 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 240 km/h (150 mph, 130 kn) Range: 600 km (370 mi, 320 nmi) Service ceiling: 6,200 m (20,400 ft) Rate of climb: 5.9 m/s (1,160 ft/min) Armament 1 × fixed, forward-firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) machine gun 1 × flexible 7.92 mm (.312 in) machine gun for observer Memel A.F.G.1 Albatros L 68 L 68 Alauda Role - Trainer Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Number built - 18 The Albatros L 68 Alauda was a two-seat German trainer aircraft of the 1920s. It was a single-engine biplane of conventional configuration that seated the pilot and instructor in tandem, open cockpits. The wings were of unequal span and had a pronounced stagger. Variants L 68 - original production version with Siemens-Halske Sh 11 engine (3 built) L 68a - longer wingspan and Sh 12 engine (3 built) L 68c - main production version based on L 68a (10 built) L 68d - Siemens-Halske Sh.III engine (1 built) L 68e - Armstrong Siddeley Lynx engine (1 built) Specifications (L 68c) General characteristics Crew: two, pilot and instructor Length: 6.30 m (20 ft 8 in) Wingspan: 10.10 m (33 ft 2 in) Height: 2.56 m (8 ft 5 in) Wing area: 24.4 m2 (263 sq ft) Empty weight: 650 kg (1,430 lb) Gross weight: 950 kg (2,090 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Siemens-Halske Sh 12 , 80 kW (110 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 140 km/h (90 mph, 78 kn) Range: 360 km (220 mi, 190 nmi) Service ceiling: 4,200 m (13,800 ft) Rate of climb: 1.4 m/s (270 ft/min) L 68a Albatros L.68 2-view drawing from Le Document aéronautique June, 1927 Albatros L 69 L 69 Role - Racer Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Designer - R. Schubert First flight - 1925 Number built - 4 The Albatros L 69 was a two-seat German parasol monoplane racing and training aircraft of 1925. It was a single-engine parasol-wing monoplane of conventional configuration that seated the pilot and passenger in tandem, open cockpits. It was advertised as a trainer, however contemporary reports dismissed this due to the difficulty in accessing the front cockpit, and the designers' focus on performance. Operational history In 1925, the Albatros test pilot Kurt Ungewitter won Class D in the Deutsche Rundflug ("Round Germany") in an L 69a, but was killed in one in a crash two years later. The "Round-Saxony" flight Class D was won by a Bristol Lucifer-engined Albatros L.69, piloted by a student at an average speed of 165 km/h. Variants L 69 - two examples with Bristol Lucifer engine L 69a - two examples with Siemens-Halske Sh 12 engine Specifications (L 69a) General characteristics Crew: two, pilot and instructor Length: 6.10 m (20 ft 0 in) Wingspan: 8.06 m (26 ft 5 in) Height: 2.57 m (8 ft 5 in) Wing area: 14.0 m2 (151 sq ft) Empty weight: 480 kg (1,058 lb) Gross weight: 685 kg (1,510 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Siemens-Halske Sh 12 , 80 kW (110 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 170 km/h (110 mph, 96 kn) Endurance: 2 hours Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,100 ft) Rate of climb: 4.2 m/s (820 ft/min) Albatros L.69 at the 1925 Round Germany Contest Albatros L 72 L 72 Role - Cargo aircraft Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Designer - Gustav Lachmann First flight - 1926 Number built - 4 The Albatros L 72 was a German transport aircraft of the 1920s, designed to carry newspapers between German cities for Ullstein Verlag. A single revised example was built for the Hamburger Fremdenblatt. Design and development The L 72 was a single-engine biplane of conventional configuration with unstaggered wings of equal span. It was the first German commercial aircraft to incorporate leading edge slots and trailing-edge flaps. The upper and lower wings were interchangeable. They were of all metal construction with fabric covering. The thickened centre section of the upper wing contained the fuel tanks. The upper wing was carried on a tubular cabane and one set of 'N' formation interplane struts was provided with stream-lined wire bracing. The fuselage was built of welded steel tubing with diagonal wire bracing and was fabric covered. Aft of the pilot's cockpit was a cabin containing a conveyor-like device which could accept up to sixteen parcels of newspapers weighing 10 kg (22 lb) each. These could then be dropped, either by an attendant travelling in the cabin or by the pilot, an indicator in the cockpit indicating how many parcels had been dropped. A novel feature of the tail was the rudder and fin which were both pivoted in such a way that when the rudder was turned the fin also turned around a vertical axis thus providing a more powerful rudder control for a smaller angular movement. Variants L 72a L 72b - two examples for Ullstein AG L 72c Albis - one example for Hamburger Fremdenblatt Specifications (L.72a) (Data from Flight, 15 April 1926, p.231) General characteristics Crew: two, pilot and engineer Capacity: 4 passengers or 2 handlers plus 160 kg (353 lb) of newspapers Length: 10.5 m (34 ft 5 in) Wingspan: 12.8 m (42 ft 0 in) Wing area: 36 m2 (390 sq ft) Empty weight: 1,300 kg (2,866 lb) Gross weight: 2,000 kg (4,409 lb) Powerplant: 1 × BMW IV , 160 kW (220 hp) Propellers: 2-bladed Performance Maximum speed: 160 km/h (99 mph, 86 kn) Cruise speed: 170 km/h (110 mph, 92 kn) Endurance: 4.5 hr Landing speeds: 100 knm/h (62 mph) with slots closed, 75 km/h (47 mph) open Albatros L 72 3-view drawing from Les Ailes May 6, 1926 Albatros L 73 L 73 Role - Airliner Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Designer - Gustav Lachmann First flight - 1926 Primary user - Deutsche Luft Hansa Number built - 4 The Albatros L 73 was a German twin-engined biplane airliner of the 1920s. Of conventional configuration, it featured a streamlined, boat-like fuselage and engine nacelles. All four manufactured aircraft of that type were operated by Deutsche Luft Hansa, one of which (Brandenburg, D-961) crashed near Babekuhl on 28 May 1928. Variants L 73a powered by two 310 kW (420 hp) Siemens-built Bristol Jupiter L 73b version with Junkers L5 engines L 73c engines upgraded to BMW V Operators - Bulgaria Bulgarian Air Force - Germany Deutsche Luft Hansa Specifications (L 73b) (Data from The Albatros L.73) General characteristics Crew: Two (pilot and engineer) Capacity: Eight passengers Length: 14.6 m (47 ft 11 in) Wingspan: 19.7 m (64 ft 8 in) Height: 4.7 m (15 ft 5 in) Wing area: 92 m2 (990 sq ft) Empty weight: 2,914 kg (6,424 lb) Gross weight: 4,610 kg (10,163 lb) Powerplant: 2 × BMW IV six-cylinder, water-cooled Inline engine, 180 kW (240 hp) each Performance Maximum speed: 145 km/h (90 mph, 78 kn) Range: 540 km (340 mi, 290 nmi) Service ceiling: 3,000 m (9,800 ft) Time to altitude: 14 minutes to 1,000 m (3,300 ft) D-961 Brandenburg at the opening of Stettin Airstrip in 1927 (second from left the Stockholm Municipal commissioner Yngve Larsson) Albatros L 73 3 view drawing from NACA Aircraft Circular No.16 Albatros L 74 Albatros L 74 Role - Training aircraft National origin - Germany Manufacturer - Albatros First flight - 1928 Number built - 2 The Albatros L 74 was a two-seated German training biplane, produced by Albatros Flugzeugwerke. Only two were produced. Specifications General characteristics Crew: 2 Length: 8.1 m (26 ft 7 in) Wingspan: 11.3 m (37 ft 1 in) Height: 3.79 m (12 ft 5 in) Wing area: 33 m2 (360 sq ft) Empty weight: 1,250 kg (2,756 lb) Powerplant: 1 × BMW IVa inline engine, 300 kW (400 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 175 km/h (109 mph, 94 kn) Stall speed: 99 km/h (62 mph, 53 kn) Range: 1,500 km (930 mi, 810 nmi) Service ceiling: 3,400 m (11,200 ft) Armament Guns: 2×machine guns Albatros L 75 L 75 Ass Role - Trainer Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke Designer - Walter Blume First flight - 1928 Number built - 43 The Albatros L 75 Ass (German: "Ace") was a German trainer biplane of the 1920s. Of conventional configuration, it seated the pilot and instructor in separate, open cockpits. The wings were single-bay, equal-span, and had a slight stagger. Production continued after Albatros was absorbed by Focke-Wulf. Variants L 75 - prototype with BMW IVa engine L 75a - production version with BMW Va engine L 75b - with Junkers L5 engine L 75c - BMW Va engine L 75d - BMW Va engine L 75E - BMW Va engine L 75F - Junkers L5G engine L 75DSA - BMW Va engine L 75DSB - Junkers L5 engine Operators DVS Specifications (L 75a) (Data from Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1928, German Aircraft between 1919-1945) General characteristics Crew: 2 Length: 10 m (32 ft 10 in) Wingspan: 12.5 m (41 ft 0 in) Height: 3.25 m (10 ft 8 in) Wing area: 37 m2 (400 sq ft) Empty weight: 1,150 kg (2,535 lb) Gross weight: 1,835 kg (4,045 lb) Fuel capacity: 480 L (130 US gal; 110 imp gal) main, 93 L (25 US gal; 20 imp gal) in reserve gravity-feed tank Powerplant: 1 × BMW Va six-cylinder in-line water-cooled piston engine, 270 kW (360 hp) for take-off 240 kW (320 hp) continuous Propellers: 2-bladed fixed pitch propeller Performance Maximum speed: 217 km/h (135 mph, 117 kn) Cruise speed: 170 km/h (110 mph, 92 kn) Landing speed: 90 km/h (56 mph; 49 kn) Range: 1,600 km (990 mi, 860 nmi) Service ceiling: 5,500 m (18,000 ft) Time to altitude: 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in 7 minutes Wing loading: 59.8 kg/m2 (12.2 lb/sq ft) Power/mass: 0.1141 kW/kg (0.0694 hp/lb) Albatros L 75 drawing from Le Document aéronautique November, 1928 Albatros L 76 Albatros L 76 Role - Reconnaissance aircraft National origin - Germany Manufacturer - Albatros First flight - 1927 Number built - 6 The Albatros L 76 Aeolus was a German military reconnaissance aircraft built by Albatros Flugzeugwerke in 1927. The plane had wooden dual-spar wings with plywood skins supported by N-type struts and a fabric-covered fuselage made of welded steel tubing. The aircraft was used for testing, as well as the training of the Soviet Air Force. It was difficult to fly, and killed many people, including Emil Thuy, who crashed near Smolensk on June 11, 1930, and Paul Jeschonnek, who crashed near Berlin on June 13, 1929. As a result, it had to be improved, leading to the production of the Albatros L 77v, designed by Ernst Heinkel Flugzeugwerke. Operators - Soviet Union Soviet Air Force - Two aircraft, used for tests and trials Specifications General characteristics Crew: 2 Length: 8.55 m (28 ft 1 in) Wingspan: 12.76 m (41 ft 10 in) Height: 3.74 m (12 ft 3 in) Wing area: 27.8 m2 (299 sq ft) Empty weight: 1,615 kg (3,560 lb) Powerplant: 1 × BMW VI inline engine, 450 kW (600 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 235 km/h (146 mph, 127 kn) Albatros L 77v L 77 Role - Reconnaissance aircraft Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke First flight - 1928 Number built - 4 The Albatros L 77v was a German tandem two-seat reconnaissance fighter sesquiplane, four examples of which were built under license for Albatros Flugzeugwerke by Ernst Heinkel Flugzeugwerke in 1928. Based upon the L 76 Aeolus reconnaissance trainer, the aircraft was powered by a 450 kW (600 hp) BMW VI 5.5 water-cooled V12 engine. Like the L 76, the L 77v had a fabric-covered welded-steel fuselage and wooden dual-spar wings with plywood skins supported by N-type struts. It was armed with twin 7.92 mm (.312 in) machine guns in fixed forward-firing positions and a third on a ring mounting in the rear cockpit. Three of the aircraft saw service performing armament trials in Lipetsk in the Soviet Union; these included one aircraft testing a free-mounted 20 mm cannon. The fourth aircraft had been destroyed while undergoing tests in March 1929. Between December 1929 and their retirement in October 1931, the surviving L 77vs were based at the Staaken Erprobungsstelle (Test Centre). Specifications (L 77v) General characteristics Crew: two, pilot and observer Length: 8.45 m (27 ft 9 in) Wingspan: 12.76 m (41 ft 10 in) Height: 3.9 m (12 ft 10 in) Wing area: 27.8 m2 (299 sq ft) Powerplant: 1 × BMW VI , 450 kW (600 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 220 km/h (140 mph, 120 kn) Armament 2 × fixed, forward-firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) machine guns 1 × flexible 7.92 (.312 in) mm machine gun for observer 2 × 50 kg (110 lb) bombs Albatros L 78 The Albatros L 78 was a two-seater biplane reconnaissance aircraft created in 1928. It was a revamp of the Albatros L 76 and armed with two 7.9 caliber machine guns with one being on the turret. Its engine was a BMW VI. The L78 was tested at the German flight testing centre at Rechlin-Lärz Airfield in 1928. Six to seven L 78s were used by the German secret air force training school at Lipetsk, Russia from 1929 until the school was closed in 1933, with the survivors returning to Germany. At least four were wrecked in crashes while at Lipetsk. Eventually, it had two modifications: A reconnaissance bomber, and the other having a passenger cabin with windows and a door. In total, 14 of these aircraft were made. Albatros L 79 L 79 Kobold Role - Aerobatic aircraft Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke First flight - 1929 Number built - 2 The Albatros L 79 Kobold was a single-seat German aerobatic aircraft of the 1920s and 1930s. It was a single-bay biplane with unstaggered, equal-span wings that had a symmetrical airfoil intended to ensure performance during inverted flight. Specifications (L 79) General characteristics Crew: one pilot Length: 6.27 m (20 ft 7 in) Wingspan: 8.80 m (28 ft 10 in) Height: 2.24 m (7 ft 4 in) Wing area: 16.6 m2 (179 sq ft) Empty weight: 465 kg (1,025 lb) Gross weight: 640 kg (1,411 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Siemens-Halske Sh 12 , 93 kW (125 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 165 km/h (100 mph, 87 kn) Endurance: 2.5 hours Rate of climb: 3.2 m/s (630 ft/min) Albatros L 82 L 82 Role - Trainer Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke First flight - 1929 Primary user - Germany Number built - 17 The Albatros L 82 was a 1920s German trainer biplane. Of conventional configuration, it seated the pilot and instructor in separate, open cockpits. The wings were single-bay, equal-span, and unstaggered. Operational history The prototype and one production L 82b took part in the Challenge 1929 international contest, during which the prototype (D-1704) crashed on 10 August 1929 in Turnu Severin, pilot Karl Ziegler. The second example (D-1706) completed the contest in 27th place, pilot Werner Junck). Variants L 82a - prototype with de Havilland Gipsy engine L 82b - single example with Siemens-Halske Sh 13 engine L 82c - production version with Siemens-Halske Sh 14 engine Specifications (L 82c) General characteristics Crew: two, pilot and instructor Length: 7.41 m (24 ft 4 in) Wingspan: 9.00 m (29 ft 6 in) Height: 2.66 m (8 ft 9 in) Wing area: 20.0 m2 (215 sq ft) Empty weight: 400 kg (880 lb) Gross weight: 750 kg (1,650 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Siemens-Halske Sh 14 , 120 kW (160 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 160 km/h (100 mph, 87 kn) Range: 560 km (350 mi, 300 nmi) Service ceiling: 3,800 m (12,500 ft) Albatros L 82 with wings folded Albatros L 84 L 84 Role - Fighter Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke/Focke-Wulf First flight - 1931 Number built - 5 The Albatros L 84 was a German tandem two-seat, single-bay fighter sesquiplane first flown in 1931. Four of the five examples produced were built by Focke-Wulf Flugzeugbau, into which Albatros Flugzeugwerke was amalgamated in that year. Powered by a water-cooled 490 kW (660 hp) BMW VIu 7.3Z V12 engine, the L 84 had a fabric-covered fuselage constructed of welded steel tubes, and wooden wings skinned with plywood. Its armament comprised three 7.92 mm (.312 in) machine guns, two in fixed forward-firing positions and the third ring-mounted in the aft cockpit. Only the first prototype was completed before Albatros became part of Focke-Wulf, and this was destroyed during flight testing. A second example was flown in February 1933 by Focke-Wulf under the designation L 84C, using a modified cooling system. The Reichswehr initially ordered twelve L 84s but cancelled the order after only three had been completed. Of these, one was designated L 84E and was tested with the Rolls-Royce Kestrel IIIS engine; another, L 84F, was fitted with a fuel-injected version of the BMW VIu. At least one L 84 was delivered to China. Variants L 84 L 84C - Focke-Wulf produced version with revised cooling system L 84E - example with Rolls-Royce Kestrel engine L 84F - example with fuel-injection Specifications (L 84) General characteristics Crew: two, pilot and observer Powerplant: 1 × BMW VI , 450 kW (600 hp) Performance Armament 2 × fixed, forward-firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) machine guns 1 × flexible 7.92 mm (.312 in) machine gun for observer Albatros L 100 L 100 Role - Sports plane Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke First flight - 1930 Number built - 1 The Albatros L 100 was a light aircraft built in Germany to compete in the Europarundflug air race. It was a low-wing braced monoplane of conventional taildragger configuration. Specifications (L 100) General characteristics Crew: one pilot Capacity: 2 passengers Length: 8.45 m (27 ft 9 in) Wingspan: 12.15 m (39 ft 10 in) Wing area: 20.0 m2 (215 sq ft) Empty weight: 455 kg (1,000 lb) Gross weight: 805 kg (1,775 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Argus As 8 , 60 kW (80 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 147 km/h (92 mph, 80 kn) Range: 800 km (500 mi, 430 nmi) Service ceiling: 3,200 m (10,500 ft) Albatros Al 101 (Albatros L 101) Al 101 Role - Trainer Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke First flight - 1930 Number built - 71 The Albatros Al 101 was a 1930s German trainer aircraft. It was a parasol-wing monoplane of conventional configuration, and seated the pilot and instructor in separate, open cockpits. Variants L 101 L 101W - two examples built as floatplanes L 101C L 101D Specifications (Al 101D) (Data from Nowarra 1993) General characteristics Crew: 2 Length: 8.5 m (27 ft 11 in) Wingspan: 12.5 m (41 ft 0 in) Height: 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in) Wing area: 20 m2 (220 sq ft) Empty weight: 515 kg (1,135 lb) Gross weight: 830 kg (1,830 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Argus As 8a inverted 4-cyl air-cooled in-line piston engine, 73 kW (98 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 171 km/h (106 mph, 92 kn) Range: 670 km (420 mi, 360 nmi) Service ceiling: 3,600 m (11,800 ft) Rate of climb: 4.2 m/s (830 ft/min) Landing speed: 70 km/h (43 mph) Albatros L 102 L 102 Role - Trainer Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke First flight - September 1932 Number built - 10 The Albatros L 102 (company designation) / Albatros Al 102 (RLM designation), was a German trainer aircraft of the 1930s. It was a parasol-wing landplane, seating the student pilot and instructor in separate, open cockpits. A biplane floatplane version was also built as the Al 102W, with strut-braced lower wings. Variants L 102L The landplane version with tailwheel undercarriage and parasol monoplane wing (eight built) L 102W Two examples built as biplane floatplanes, one of which was designated as the Focke-Wulf Fw 55W Al 102L RLM designation for the L 102L landplane Al 102W RLM designation for the L 102W floatplane Specifications (L 102L) (Data from Die Deutsche Luftrüstung 1933-1945 & German Aircraft between 1919-1945) General characteristics Crew: two Length: 8.8 m (28 ft 10 in) / L 102W: 9.4 m (31 ft) Wingspan: 13.3 m (43 ft 8 in) Height: 3.1 m (10 ft 2 in) Wing area: 22.2 m2 (239 sq ft) monoplane / Al 102W: 31.40 m2 (338 sq ft) (sesquiplane) Aspect ratio: 7.97 Empty weight: 780 kg (1,720 lb) / L 102W: 965 kg (2,127 lb) Gross weight: 1,200 kg (2,646 lb) / L 102W: 1,350 kg (2,976 lb) Fuel capacity: 160 kg (353 lb) + Oil 20 kg (44 lb) / L 102W: 158 kg (348 lb) + Oil 10 kg (22 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Argus As 10C inverted V-8, air-cooled piston engine, 177 kW (237 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 210 km/h (130 mph, 110 kn) at sea level / L 102W: 185 km/h (115 mph; 100 kn) at sea level Cruise speed: 195 km/h (121 mph, 105 kn) at sea level / L 102W: 180 km/h (112 mph; 97 kn) at sea level Range: 680 km (420 mi, 370 nmi) / L 102W: 585 km (364 mi; 316 nmi) Endurance: 3.5 hours / L 102W: 3.25 hours Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,000 ft) / L 102W: 4,500 m (14,764 ft) Rate of climb: 4.9 m/s (960 ft/min) / L 102W: 3.1 m/s (610.2 ft/min) Wing loading: 54.05 kg/m2 (11.07 lb/sq ft) / L 102W: 42.99 kg/m2 (8.8 lb/ft2) Albatros W 102 photo from L'Aerophile November 1932 Albatros L/W 102 3-view drawing from L'Aerophile November 1932 Albatros L 103 (Albatros L 103) L 103 Role - Experimental aircraft Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke First flight - 1933 Number built - 1 The Albatros L 103 (company designation) / Albatros Al 103 (RLM designation) was a German experimental aircraft of the 1930s. It was a parasol-wing landplane of conventional configuration, seating the pilot and flight test observer in separate, open cockpits. The Al 103 was used to test variations in sweepback, dihedral and tailplane area. Specifications (L 103) (Data from / & German Aircraft between 1919-1945) General characteristics Crew: 2 Length: 11.15 m (36 ft 7 in) Wingspan: 15.4 m (50 ft 6 in) with 10° sweepback Height: 3.66 m (12 ft 0 in) Wing area: 32.86 m2 (353.7 sq ft) Aspect ratio: 7.22 Empty weight: 925 kg (2,039 lb) Gross weight: 1,450 kg (3,197 lb) Fuel capacity: 100 kg (220 lb) + Oil 10 kg (22 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Argus As 10C inverted V-8, air-cooled piston engine, 176.5 kW (236.7 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 180 km/h (110 mph, 97 kn) at sea level Range: 322 km (200 mi, 174 nmi) Endurance: 2 hours Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,000 ft) Rate of climb: 2.7 m/s (530 ft/min) Wing loading: 44.12 kg/m2 (9.04 lb/sq ft) Albatros W.3 W.3 Role - Float plane torpedo bomber National origin - Germany Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke First flight - Before July 1916 Number built - 1 Developed into - Albatros W.5 The Albatros W.3, company designation VT, was a biplane torpedo bomber floatplane prototype, built for the Imperial German Navy during the First World War. Only one was built. Design and development The W.3 was designed from the outset as a torpedo bomber, a large two bay biplane powered by two 150 hp (112 kW) Benz Bz.III engines in pusher configuration mounted on top of the lower wing; these drove two blade propellers, The wings had straight leading edges, squared tips and almost constant chord, though the upper trailing edge was complicated by cut-outs for the propellers and by ailerons, fitted only to this wing, which increased in chord outwards. There was no stagger, so each pair of interplane struts was perpendicular to the wing; the forward member of each pair was at the leading edge and the other at mid-chord. The fuselage was flat sided, with two open, tandem cockpits in the nose ahead of the leading edge and deepest between nose and trailing edge, forming a belly which housed the torpedo. Aft, it became quite slender, with a broad chord, triangular fin and rounded, balanced rudder. Twin floats, only about half as long as the fuselage, were mounted on individual sets of struts to allow torpedo release between them. One Albatros W.3 was built and supplied to the Imperial German Navy in July 1916. The design was developed into the W.5, five of which were built for the Navy in 1917. Specifications (Data from German Aircraft of World War I) General characteristics Crew: Two Length: 13.1 m (43 ft 0 in) Wingspan: 22.7 m (74 ft 6 in) Powerplant: 2 × Benz Bz.III 6-cylinder water-cooled inline in pusher configuration, 110 kW (150 hp) each Propellers: 2-bladed Performance Maximum speed: 133 km/h (83 mph, 72 kn) Armament Guns: 2 × 7.92 mm (0.312 in) machine guns Bombs: 1 × Torpedo Rear oblique photo of an Albatros W.III torpedo bomber with axles beneath its floats Albatros W.4 W.4 Role - Fighter Manufacturer - Albatros Flugzeugwerke First flight - 1916 Retired - 1918 Primary user - Luftstreitkräfte Produced - 1916-1917 Number built - 118 Developed from - Albatros D.I The Albatros W.4 was a military floatplane designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Albatros Flugzeugwerke. The W.4 was a derivative of the Albatros D.I land-based fighter aircraft, furnished with a new wing and tail section of greater span than the D.I. It was powered by the same 120 kW (160 hp) Mercedes D.III engine as fitted to the D.I while its fuselage was also based upon its predecessor. The first production series W.4s were armed with one lMG08 7.92 mm (.312 in) machine gun, while later built aircraft carried two guns. While early production aircraft were equipped with ailerons only on the upper wings, those built later on had ailerons on all four wings instead. Performing its maiden flight during 1916, a total of three prototypes were produced. The W.4 was first used in combat in September 1916; it would be operated in both the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. The final aircraft was delivered in December 1917. It was displaced from frontline duties by newer twin-seat floatplanes. Development The origins of the Albatros W.4 can be traced to the Imperial German Navy who, in 1916, sought a new single-seat floatplane with which to counter the growing use of both flying boats and floatplanes by the Allies powers, particularly Britain. The adaption of land-based aircraft to fulfil this requirement was encouraged in order to expedite its arrival. Multiple companies opted to respond to this need, including the Hansa-Brandenburg KDW, Rumpler 6B, and the Albatros W.4. Albatros developed the W.4 as a derivative from their existing land-based fighter aircraft, the Albatros D.I. It was considerably larger than its land-based predecessor, the design having been reworked substantially in some areas, such as the tail section, which was enlarged considerably and lacked an under-fin. The fuselage of the D.I was used as a basis and the two aircraft shared the same basic structural elements of longerons and formers covered by plywood. Steel was used extensively in the structure of the tail unit, such as bracing struts and the framework of both the elevator and rudder. The wing structure different considerably from that that of the D.I, using elongated and strengthened centre-section steel struts to accommodate the greater span of the wing. Early aircraft were equipped with inversely tapered ailerons on the upper wings only, but this configuration gave the W.4 relatively slow lateral control, thus a revised arrangement using ailerons on all four wings, interlinked using a steel strut, was promptly implemented to improve this performance. While investigating the aircraft's optimum takeoff performance, the W.4 was outfitted with a variety of different floats, which included single-step, double-step, flat top, and curved top designs. Regardless of the design of the floats used, a steel chassis was used to support the floats along with wire bracing. Two separate fuel tanks, holding 73 litres each, gave the W.4 considerable endurance for its size. Operational history During September 1916, the W.4 commenced combat operations. A total of 118 aircraft, including three prototypes, were built between June 1916 and December 1917. It was operated both in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea; it proved to be both relatively fast and agile for a floatplane. The W.4 typically had the upper hand over most enemy seaplanes encountered, particularly in terms of armament, unless the aircraft came up against the heavier flying boats operated by the Royal Navy. It was ultimately eclipsed by the arrival of faster twin-seat floatplanes produced by rival German aircraft manufacturer Hansa-Brandenburg. The final use of the W.4 was in the trainer role. Operators 1) German Empire - Luftstreitkräfte - 118 aircraft 2) Austria-Hungary - KuKLFT - 8 aircraft delivered in July 1918 Specifications (W.4) (Data from German Aircraft of the First World War) General characteristics Crew: 1 Length: 8.5 m (27 ft 11 in) Wingspan: 9.5 m (31 ft 2 in) Height: 3.65 m (12 ft 0 in) Wing area: 31.6 m2 (340 sq ft) Empty weight: 790 kg (1,742 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.III six-cylinder water-cooled in-line piston engine, 120 kW (160 hp) Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch wooden propeller Performance Maximum speed: 158-160 km/h (98-99 mph, 85-86 kn) Endurance: 3 hours Service ceiling: 2,890 m (9,480 ft) Time to altitude: 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in five minutes Armament Guns: 1 or 2 × forward-firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) lMG 08 machine guns First prototype of Albatros W.IV, No.747 An Albatros W.4, circa 1917 The first prototype of the Albatros W.4 Albatros W.4 drawing wikipedia.org (en) |
List of military aircraft of Germany by manufacturer
This is a list of German military aircraft organised alphabetically by
manufacturer.
AEG
(Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft)
AEG B.I - reconnaissance
AEG B.II - reconnaissance
AEG B.III - reconnaissance
AEG C.I - reconnaissance
AEG C.II - reconnaissance
AEG C.III - reconnaissance
AEG C.IV - reconnaissance
AEG C.IVN - night bomber
AEG C.V - reconnaissance
AEG C.VI - reconnaissance
AEG C.VII - reconnaissance
AEG C.VIII - reconnaissance
AEG C.VIII Dr - reconnaissance triplane
AEG D.I - fighter
AEG DJ.I - armoured ground attack fighter
AEG Dr.I - triplane fighter
AEG G.I/K.I - bomber
AEG G.II - bomber
AEG G.III - bomber
AEG G.IV - bomber
AEG G.V - bomber
AEG J.I - ground attack aircraft
AEG J.II - ground attack aircraft
AEG N.I - night bomber
AEG PE - armoured triplane ground attack fighter
AEG R.I - heavy bomber
AEG R.II - heavy bomber project
AEG Wagner Eule
AEG Helicopter - helicopter observation platform, 1933
AGO
(AGO Flugzeugwerke Aktien Gesellschaft Otto/ Aeroplanbau Gustav Otto & Alberti)
AGO C.I & C.IW - pod and boom pusher reconnaissance biplane
AGO C.II & C.IIW - pod and boom pusher reconnaissance biplane
AGO C.III - pod and boom pusher reconnaissance biplane
AGO C.IV - reconnaissance biplane
AGO C.VII - reconnaissance biplane
AGO C.VIII - reconnaissance biplane
AGO DV.3 - fighter
AGO S.I - prototype ground attack aircraft
AGO Ao 192 Kurier - light liaison
AGO Ao 225 - cancelled heavy fighter project
Akaflieg München
(Akaflieg)
München Mü-18 Meßkrähe - research motor-glider for testing wing configurations
from 1942 to 1945
Albatros
(Albatros Flugzeugwerke GmbH)
Albatros B.I - reconnaissance
Albatros B.II - reconnaissance
Albatros B.III - reconnaissance
Albatros C.I - reconnaissance
Albatros C.II - pusher reconnaissance
Albatros C.III - reconnaissance
Albatros C.IV - reconnaissance
Albatros C.V - reconnaissance
Albatros C.VI - reconnaissance
Albatros C.VII - reconnaissance
Albatros C.VIII N - night bomber
Albatros C.IX - reconnaissance
Albatros C.X - reconnaissance
Albatros C.XII - reconnaissance
Albatros C.XIII - reconnaissance
Albatros C.XIV - reconnaissance
Albatros C.XV - reconnaissance
Albatros D.I - fighter
Albatros D.II - fighter
Albatros D.III - fighter
Albatros D.IV - fighter
Albatros D.V & Va - fighter
Albatros D.VI - fighter
Albatros D.VII - fighter
Albatros D.VIII - fighter
Albatros D.IX - fighter
Albatros D.X - fighter
Albatros D.XI - fighter
Albatros D.XII - fighter
Albatros Dr.I - triplane fighter
Albatros Dr.II - triplane fighter
Albatros G.I - bomber
Albatros G.II - bomber
Albatros G.III - bomber
Albatros H.1 - high altitude record aircraft modified from SSW D.IV fighter
Albatros J.I - ground attack
Albatros J.II - ground attack
Albatros L 3 - single seat reconnaissance
Albatros L 9 - single seat reconnaissance
Albatros L.65 - reconnaissance fighter biplane built in Lithuania
Albatros L.68 - trainer
Albatros L.69 - trainer
Albatros L.70 - reconnaissance
Albatros L.74 - trainer
Albatros L.75 - trainer
Albatros L.76 - reconnaissance
Albatros L.77v - reconnaissance
Albatros L.78 - reconnaissance
Albatros L.79 - aerobatic/trainer
Albatros L.81 - experimental aircraft to test the Elektron metal structure
Albatros L.82 - trainer
Albatros L.84 - fighter biplane, 1931
Albatros L.101/Al 101 - sportsplane/trainer, 1930
Albatros L.102/Al 102 - sportsplane/trainer, 1931
Albatros L.103/Al 103 - sportsplane/trainer, 1932
Albatros N.I - night bomber variant of Albatros C.VII
Albatros W.1 - reconnaissance floatplane
Albatros W.2 - reconnaissance floatplane
Albatros W.3 - torpedo bomber floatplane
Albatros W.4 - floatplane fighter
Albatros W.5 - torpedo bomber floatplane
Albatros W.8 - floatplane fighter
Alter
(Ludwig Alter Werke)
Alter Type AI - fighter
Arado
(Arado Flugzeugwerke GmbH) (For WWII projects)
Arado Ar 64 - fighter biplane
Arado Ar 65 - fighter/trainer, re-engined Ar 64
Arado Ar 66 - trainer/night fighter
Arado Ar 67 - prototype fighter biplane
Arado Ar 68 - fighter biplane
Arado Ar 69 - prototype trainer, 1933
Arado Ar 76 - fighter/trainer
Arado Ar 80 - fighter prototype
Arado Ar 81 - prototype two-seat biplane, 1936
Arado Ar 95 - patrol seaplane
Arado Ar 96 - trainer
Arado Ar 195 - lost to Fi-167 for aircraft carrier, floatplane
Arado Ar 196 - ship-borne reconnaissance floatplane
Arado Ar 197 - naval fighter derived from Ar 68
Arado Ar 198 - reconnaissance
Arado Ar 199 - seaplane trainer
Arado Ar 231 - folding-wing U-boat reconnaissance prototype
Arado Ar 232 Tausenfüßler - transport
Arado Ar 233 - seaplane concept, 1940
Arado Ar 234 Blitz - jet bomber
Arado Ar 240 - heavy fighter
Arado Ar 396 - trainer
Arado Ar 440 - heavy fighter + attack
Arado Ar 532 - cancelled transport
Argus
(Argus Motoren GmbH)
Argus As 292 - see DFS Mo 12
Aviatik
(Automobil und Aviatik AG)
Aviatik B.I - reconnaissance
Aviatik B.II - reconnaissance
Aviatik C.I - reconnaissance
Aviatik C.II - reconnaissance
Aviatik C.III - reconnaissance
Aviatik C.V - reconnaissance
Aviatik C.VI - reconnaissance
Aviatik C.VII - reconnaissance
Aviatik C.VIII - reconnaissance
Aviatik C.IX - reconnaissance
Aviatik D.I - fighter (Halberstadt D.II)
Aviatik D.II - fighter
Aviatik D.III - fighter
Aviatik D.IV - fighter
Aviatik D.V - fighter
Aviatik D.VI - fighter
Aviatik D.VII - fighter
Aviatik Dr.I - triplane fighter
Aviatik G.I - bomber
Aviatik G.III - bomber
Aviatik R.III - bomber
Bachem
(Bachem-Werke)
Bachem Ba 349 Natter
Bachem Ba BP 20 Manned Flak Rocket - early Ba-349s, some with landing gear for
flight testing
Baumgärtl
(Paul Baumgärtl)
Baumgärtl Heliofly I - backpack helicopter
Baumgärtl Heliofly III/57 - backpack helicopter
Baumgärtl Heliofly III/59 - one-man helicopter
Baumgärtl PB-60 - experimental single-seat rotor kite
Baumgärtl PB-63 - single-seat helicopter
Baumgärtl PB-64 - single-seat helicopter
Akaflieg Berlin
(Flugtechnische Fachgruppe)
Berlin B 9 - prone pilot research aircraft
BFW
(Bayerische Flugzeugwerke)
BFW CL.I - light reconnaissance/close support
BFW CL.II - light reconnaissance/close support
BFW CL.III - light reconnaissance/close support
BFW Monoplane 1918
BFW N.I - night bomber
Blohm & Voss
(Blohm & Voss and Hamburger Flugzeugbau) (For WWII projects with no RLM
designation / List of German aircraft projects, 1939-1945)
Blohm & Voss BV 40 - glider interceptor
Blohm & Voss BV 138 - flying-boat, was designated Ha 138
Blohm & Voss Ha 139 - transatlantic airmail floatplane, one modified for
reconnaissance and minesweeping
Blohm & Voss Ha 140 - torpedo bomber flyingboat prototype
Blohm & Voss BV 141 - asymmetric reconnaissance prototypes
Blohm & Voss BV 142 - reconnaissance/transport
Blohm & Voss BV 143 - glide bomb prototype
Blohm & Voss BV 144 - transport
Blohm & Voss BV 155 - high-altitude interceptor, was Me 155
Blohm & Voss BV 222 Wiking - transport flying-boat
Blohm & Voss BV 238 - flying-boat prototype
Blohm & Voss BV 246 Hagelkorn - glide bomb, "Radieschen" anti-radar version
Blohm & Voss BV L.10 Friedensengel - torpedo glider
Blohm & Voss BV L.11 Schneewittchen - torpedo glider
Bücker
(Bücker Flugzeugbau)
Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann - trainer
Bücker Bü 133 Jungmeister - trainer
Bücker Bü 134 - trainer
Bücker Bü 180 Student - trainer
Bücker Bü 181 Bestmann - trainer
Bücker Bü 182 Kornett - trainer
Caspar
(Caspar-Werke)
Caspar D.I - twin-engine single-seat fighter
Caspar U.1 - submarine aircraft
Daimler
(Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft Werke)
Daimler CL.I - light reconnaissance/close support
Daimler D.II - fighter
Daimler G.I/R.I - heavy bomber
Daimler G.II/R.II - heavy bomber
Daimler L6/D.I - fighter
Daimler L8 - fighter
Daimler L9 - fighter
Daimler L11 - parasol fighter
Daimler L14 - parasol fighter
DFL
(Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Luftfahrt - Research Institute in Braunschweig)
LT 9.2 Frosch - torpedo glider
DFS
(Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug)
DFS See Adler - seaplane research aircraft
DFS Mo 6 - target glider prototypes, 1936
DFS Mo 12 - target drone re-designated Argus As-292, first photo reconnaissance
RPV
DFS 39 - Lippisch-designed tail-less research aircraft
DFS 40 - Lippisch-designed tail-less research aircraft
DFS 108-49 Granau Baby - 1932 glider
DFS 108-?? Kranich - 1935 glider
DFS 108-68 Weihe - 1938 glider
DFS 108-70 Olympia - planned 1940 Olympics glider
DFS 194 - rocket-powered research aircraft, forerunner of Me 163
DFS 228 - rocket-powered reconnaissance prototype
DFS 230 - transport glider
DFS 331 - transport glider prototype
DFS 332 - wing section research
DFS 346 - supersonic research, reached Mach 1 in USSR
DFS 464 - project rocket carrier aircraft for DFS 360
DFW
(Deutsche Flugzeug-Werke)
DFW Mars - reconnaissance
DFW B.I - reconnaissance
DFW B.II - reconnaissance
DFW C.I - reconnaissance
DFW C.II - reconnaissance
DFW C.IV - reconnaissance
DFW C.V - reconnaissance
DFW C.VI - reconnaissance
DFW D.I - fighter
DFW Dr.I - triplane fighter
DFW D.II - fighter
DFW F 34 - fighter
DFW F 37 - reconnaissance
DFW R.I - heavy bomber
DFW R.II - heavy bomber
DFW R.III - cancelled heavy bomber
DFW T.28 Floh - fighter prototype
Dornier
(Dornier Flugzeugwerke GmbH)
Dornier Do C - bomber
Dornier Do D - torpedo bomber for Yugoslavia
Dornier Do H - fighter
Dornier Do M - heavy bomber
Dornier Do N - bomber for Japan
Dornier Do P - heavy bomber
Dornier Do 10/Do C1 - fighter prototype, 1931
Dornier Do 11/Do F - medium bomber, 1931
Dornier Do 12 Libelle - seaplane
Dornier Do 13 - medium bomber, 1933
Dornier Do 14 - seaplane prototype
Dornier Do 16 Wal - reconnaissance flying-boat
Dornier Do 17 - bomber/reconnaissance/night-fighter
Dornier Do 18 - bomber/reconnaissance flying-boat, 1935
Dornier Do 19 Uralbomber - four engine heavy bomber prototype
Dornier Do 22 - torpedo bomber + reconnaissance flying-boat
Dornier Do 23 - heavy bomber
Dornier Do 24 - flying boat
Dornier Do 26 - flying boat transport
Dornier Do 214 - transport flying-boat prototype
Dornier Do 215 - bomber/night-fighter
Dornier Do 217 - bomber/night-fighter
Dornier Do 288 - unofficial cover designation for captured B-17s used by KG 200
Dornier Do 317 - heavy bomber
Dornier Do 335 Pfeil - twin-engine fighter-bomber
Dornier Do 417 - twin-boom project
Dornier Do 435 - Do 335 variant with longer wings
Dornier Do 635 - Do 335 variant with twin fuselage
EMW
(Elektro Mechanische Werke)
EMW A-4B - piloted V-2 missile project
EMW A-6 - piloted V-2 missile project with aux. ramjet, origin of the X-15
rocketplane
EMW A-9/A-10 - piloted A-9/A-10 ICBM project
Euler
(Euler-Werke)
Euler B.I - reconnaissance
Euler B.II - reconnaissance
Euler B.III - reconnaissance
Euler C - reconnaissance pusher
Euler D.I - fighter, copy of Nieuport
Euler D.II - fighter
Euler D - fighter (possibly D.III)
Euler Dr.I - triplane fighter
Euler Dr.2 - triplane fighter
Euler Dr.3 - triplane fighter
Euler Dr.4 - triplane trainer
Euler Pusher Einsitzer - fighter
Euler Quadruplane - fighter
Fieseler
(Gerhard Fieseler Werke GmbH)
Fieseler F-2/Fi 2 - acrobatic sportsplane, 1932
Fieseler F-5/Fi 5 - acrobatic sportsplane/trainer, 1933
Fieseler Fi 98 - biplane fighter, 1936
Fieseler Fi 99 Jungtiger - light utility aircraft, 1938
Fieseler Fi 103/V-1 - flying bomb
Fieseler Fi 103R Series - Reichenberg manned V-1 suicide craft
Fieseler Fi 156 Storch - STOL liaison aircraft
Fieseler Fi 158 - research aircraft
Fieseler Fi 166 - jet aircraft project
Fieseler Fi 167 - ship-borne torpedo bomber/reconnaissance biplane
Fieseler Fi 256 - development of Fi 156, two prototypes
Fieseler Fi-333 - transport concept
Flettner
(Flettner Flugzeugbau GmbH and Anton Flettner G.m.b.H.)
Flettner Gigant - helicopter, two huge rotors, 1933
Flettner Fl 184 - auto-gyro, 1933
Flettner Fl 185 - helicopter
Flettner Fl 265 - based on Fl 185 but with intermeshing rotors
Flettner Fl 282 Kolibri - naval reconnaissance helicopter
Flettner Fl 336 - large transport helicopter project
Flettner Fl 339 - flying platform project
Focke-Achgelis
(Focke-Achgelis & Co. GmbH)
Focke Achgelis Fa 223 Drache - transport helicopter (prototype
Focke Achgelis Fa 225 - towed assault helo-glider prototype
Focke Achgelis Fa 266 Hornisse - helicopter prototype
Focke Achgelis Fa 269 - tilt-wing pursuit helicopter project
Focke Achgelis Fa 283 - jet helicopter project
Focke Achgelis Fa 284 - heavy-lift helicopter project
Focke Achgelis Fa 330 Bachstelze - towed autogyro prototype
Focke Achgelis Fa 336 - scout helicopter prototype, 1944, manufactured in France
postwar
Focke-Wulf
(Focke-Wulf Flugzeugbau GmbH)
Focke-Wulf Fw 42 - bomber project, 1929
Focke-Wulf Fw 44 Stieglitz - trainer
Focke-Wulf Fw 56 Stosser - trainer
Focke-Wulf Fw 57 - heavy fighter/bomber prototype
Focke-Wulf Fw 58 Weihe - transport/trainer
Focke-Wulf Fw 61 - helicopter prototype
Focke-Wulf Fw 62 - ship-borne reconnaissance seaplane
Focke-Wulf Ta 152 - Fw 190 variant
Focke-Wulf Ta 154 Moskito - night-fighter
Focke-Wulf Fw 159 - fighter prototype
Focke-Wulf Ta 183 Huckebein - jet fighter prototype
Focke-Wulf Fw 186 - autogiro reconnaissance prototype
Focke-Wulf Fw 187 Falke - heavy fighter
Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhu - reconnaissance
Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Würger - fighter
Focke-Wulf Fw 191 - medium bomber prototype
Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor - transport/maritime patrol-bomber
Focke-Wulf Super Lorin - ramjet-powered fighter project
Focke-Wulf Fw 259 Frontjäger - fighter project
Focke-Wulf Fw Ta 283 - ramjet fighter project
Focke-Wulf Fw 300 - proposed long-range version of Fw 200
Focke-Wulf Ta 400 - long-range bomber project
Focke-Wulf P.VI Flitzer - twin-boom fighter, mock-up built
Focke-Wulf Volksjäger - rocket-powered emergency fighter project
Focke-Wulf Fw Triebflügel - thrust-wing ramjet coleopter project
Focke-Wulf Rochen - circular wing project
Fokker
(Fokker Aviatik GmbH)
Fokker A.I (M.8) - reconnaissance monoplane
Fokker A.II (M.5L) - reconnaissance monoplane
Fokker A.III (M.5K) - reconnaissance monoplane, armed version designated E.I
Fokker B.I (1915) (M.10E) - reconnaissance biplane for Austria-Hungary
Fokker B.II (1916) (M.10Z) - reconnaissance biplane for Austria-Hungary
Fokker B.III (M.17) - reconnaissance/fighter for Austria-Hungary
Fokker C.I - reconnaissance, first 70 examples built in Germany and shipped to
Netherlands
Fokker D.I (M.18Z) - fighter
Fokker D.II (M.17Z) - fighter
Fokker D.III (M.20Z) - fighter
Fokker D.IV - fighter
Fokker D.V (M.22) - fighter
Fokker D.VI - fighter
Fokker D.VII - fighter
Fokker D.VIII - fighter
Fokker F.I/Dr.I - triplane fighter
Fokker E.I - monoplane fighter
Fokker E.II - monoplane fighter
Fokker E.III - monoplane fighter
Fokker E.IV - monoplane fighter
Fokker M.6 - reconnaissance parasol
Fokker M.7 - reconnaissance sesquiplane
Fokker K.I (M.9) - battleplane
Fokker M.16
Fokker V.1 - prototype fighter
Fokker V.2 - prototype fighter
Fokker V.3 - prototype for Dr.I fighter
Fokker V.4 - prototype for Dr.I fighter
Fokker V.5 - prototype for Dr.I fighter
Fokker V.6 - prototype triplane fighter
Fokker V.7 - prototype triplane fighter
Fokker V.8 - prototype 5 wing fighter
Fokker V.9 - prototype biplane fighter
Fokker V.10 - prototype triplane fighter
Fokker V.11 - prototype for D.VII fighter
Fokker V.12 - prototype for D.VI fighter
Fokker V.13 - prototype for D.VI fighter
Fokker V.14 - prototype for D.VI fighter
Fokker V.16 - prototype for D.VI fighter
Fokker V.17 - prototype monoplane fighter
Fokker V.18 - prototype for D.VII fighter
Fokker V.20 - prototype monoplane fighter
Fokker V.21 - prototype for D.VII fighter
Fokker V.22 - prototype for D.VII fighter
Fokker V.23 - prototype monoplane fighter
Fokker V.24 - prototype for D.VII fighter
Fokker V.25 - prototype monoplane fighter
Fokker V.26 - prototype for D.VIII monoplane fighter
Fokker V.27 - prototype monoplane fighter
Fokker V.28 - prototype for D.VIII monoplane fighter
Fokker V.29 - prototype for parasol monoplane version of D.VII fighter
Fokker V.30 - prototype for glider version of D.VIII monoplane fighter
Fokker V.31 - D.VII fighter modified to tow V.30
Fokker V.33 - prototype D.VI fighter
Fokker V.34 - prototype D.VII fighter with BMW engine
Fokker V.35 - prototype D.VII fighter variant
Fokker V.36 - prototype D.VII fighter variant
Fokker V.37 - armoured variant of V.27 monoplane
Fokker V.38 - prototype for C.I
Fokker W.4 - reconnaissance floatplane derived from M.7
Friedrichshafen
(Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen GmbH)
Friedrichshafen C.I - reconnaissance
Friedrichshafen D.I - fighter
Friedrichshafen D.II
Friedrichshafen D type Quadruplane - fighter
Friedrichshafen FF.1
Friedrichshafen FF.2
Friedrichshafen FF.4
Friedrichshafen FF.7
Friedrichshafen FF.8
Friedrichshafen FF.11
Friedrichshafen FF.17
Friedrichshafen FF.19
Friedrichshafen FF.21
Friedrichshafen FF.29 - reconnaissance floatplane
Friedrichshafen FF.30
Friedrichshafen FF.31 - pusher reconnaissance floatplane
Friedrichshafen FF.33 - reconnaissance floatplane
Friedrichshafen FF.34 - reconnaissance pusher floatplane
Friedrichshafen FF.35 - torpedo bomber floatplane
Friedrichshafen FF.37 - reconnaissance pusher
Friedrichshafen FF.39 - reconnaissance floatplane
Friedrichshafen FF.40 - reconnaissance floatplane
Friedrichshafen FF.41 - torpedo bomber floatplane
Friedrichshafen FF.43 - floatplane fighter
Friedrichshafen FF.44 - reconnaissance floatplane
Friedrichshafen FF.45
Friedrichshafen FF.46
Friedrichshafen FF.48 - floatplane fighter
Friedrichshafen FF.49 - reconnaissance/bomber floatplane
Friedrichshafen FF.53 - torpedo bomber
Friedrichshafen FF.54
Friedrichshafen FF.59 - reconnaissance floatplane
Friedrichshafen FF.60 - long range patrol triplane floatplane
Friedrichshafen FF.61
Friedrichshafen FF.62 - heavy bomber, may have been G.V
Friedrichshafen FF.63 - floatplane monoplane
Friedrichshafen FF.64 - reconnaissance floatplane
Friedrichshafen FF.66
Friedrichshafen FF.67
Friedrichshafen FF.71
Friedrichshafen G.I - heavy bomber
Friedrichshafen G.II - heavy bomber
Friedrichshafen G.III & IIIa - heavy bomber - heavy bomber
Friedrichshafen G.IV - heavy bomber
Friedrichshafen G.V
Friedrichshafen N.I - night bomber
Geest
1916 single-seat fighter
Geratwerk-Stargard
Geratwerk-Stargard Lt.50 - glide bomb project
Germania
Germania type B - reconnaissance, 1915
Germania type C/K.D.D. - fighter
Germania C.I - reconnaissance
Germania C.II - reconnaissance
Germania C.IV - trainer
Germania JM - unarmed single-seater, 1916
Gödecker
Gödecker B type - trainer
Göppingen
(Sportsflugzeuge Göppingen)
Göppingen Gö 1 Wolf I - sailplane, 1935
Göppingen Gö 3 Minimoa - sailplane, 1936
Göppingen Gö 4 - sailplane
Göppingen Gö 5 - sailplane, 1937 (may be RLM #5, unlikely though)
Goppingen Go 8 - development aircraft for Do 214
Göppingen Gö 9 - development aircraft for pusher propeller used on Do 335 Pfeil
Gotha
(Gothaer Waggonfabrik)
Gotha LD.1/2/6/7 - training/reconnaissance/bomber biplanes
Gotha LD.5 - single seat reconnaissance
Gotha LE.3 Taube - monoplane
Gotha WD.1 - reconnaissance floatplane
Gotha WD.2/5/9/12/13/15 - reconnaissance floatplanes
Gotha WD.3 - pusher reconnaissance floatplane
Gotha WD.7 - twin-engined seaplane trainer/reconnaissance biplane
Gotha WD.8 - single-engined seaplane trainer/reconnaissance biplane
Gotha WD.11 - torpedo bomber floatplane
Gotha WD.14/20/22 - torpedo bomber floatplanes
Gotha WD.27 - large patrol floatplane
Gotha G.I/UWD - heavy bomber
Gotha G.II - heavy bomber
Gotha G.III - heavy bomber
Gotha G.IV - heavy bomber
Gotha G.V - heavy bomber
Gotha G.VI - asymmetric heavy bomber
Gotha GL.VII - high speed reconnaissance bomber
Gotha GL.VIII - high speed bomber
Gotha G.IX - high speed bomber built by LVG
Gotha G.X - high speed reconnaissance
Gotha Go 145 - trainer
Gotha Go 146 - transport, 1935
Gotha Go 147 - STOL reconnaissance prototype
Gotha Go 229 - jet flying wing fighter
Gotha Go 242 - transport glider
Gotha Go 244 - transport
Gotha Go 345 - assault glider
Gotha Ka 430 - transport glider
Halberstadt
(Halberstädter Flugzeugwerke GmbH)
Halberstadt type B - reconnaissance
Halberstadt B.I - reconnaissance
Halberstadt B.II - reconnaissance
Halberstadt B.III - reconnaissance
Halberstadt C.I - reconnaissance
Halberstadt C.III - reconnaissance
Halberstadt C.V - reconnaissance
Halberstadt C.VII - reconnaissance
Halberstadt C.VIII - reconnaissance
Halberstadt C.IX - reconnaissance
Halberstadt CL.II - light reconnaissance/close support
Halberstadt CL.IV - light reconnaissance/close support
Halberstadt CLS.I - light reconnaissance/close support
Halberstadt D.I - fighter
Halberstadt D.II - fighter
Halberstadt D.III - fighter
Halberstadt D.IV - fighter
Halberstadt D.V - fighter
Halberstadt G.I - heavy bomber
Hannover
(Hannoversche Waggonfabrik AG)
Hannover C.I - license-built Aviatik C.I
Hannover CL.II - light reconnaissance/close support
Hannover CL.III - light reconnaissance/close support
Hannover CL.IV - light reconnaissance/close support
Hannover CL.V - light reconnaissance/close support
Hannuschke
Hannuschke monoplane - single seat scout, 1915
Hergt
Hergt monoplane - fighter, 1918
Hansa-Brandenburg
(Hansa und Brandenburgische Flugzeugwerke)
Hansa-Brandenburg B.I - reconnaissance
Hansa-Brandenburg CC - flying boat fighter for Austrian Navy
Hansa-Brandenburg D
Hansa-Brandenburg FB - flying boat
Hansa-Brandenburg FD
Hansa-Brandenburg GDW - torpedo bomber floatplane
Hansa-Brandenburg GNW - reconnaissance floatplane
Hansa-Brandenburg GW - torpedo bomber floatplane
Hansa-Brandenburg KW - reconnaissance floatplane
Hansa-Brandenburg KDW - floatplane fighter
Hansa-Brandenburg L.14 - fighter
Hansa-Brandenburg L.16 - fighter
Hansa-Brandenburg LW - reconnaissance floatplane
Hansa-Brandenburg NW - reconnaissance floatplane
Hansa-Brandenburg W - reconnaissance floatplane
Hansa-Brandenburg W.11 - floatplane fighter
Hansa-Brandenburg W.12 - floatplane fighter
Hansa-Brandenburg W.13 - flying boat for Austria-Hungary
Hansa-Brandenburg W.16 - floatplane fighter
Hansa-Brandenburg W.17 - floatplane fighter
Hansa-Brandenburg W.18 - flying boat fighter
Hansa-Brandenburg W.19 - reconnaissance floatplane
Hansa-Brandenburg W.20 - flying boat fighter
Hansa-Brandenburg W.23
Hansa-Brandenburg W.25 - floatplane fighter
Hansa-Brandenburg W.26 - reconnaissance floatplane
Hansa-Brandenburg W.27 - floatplane fighter
Hansa-Brandenburg W.29 - floatplane fighter
Hansa-Brandenburg W.32 - floatplane fighter
Hansa-Brandenburg W.33 - floatplane fighter
Hansa-Brandenburg W.34
Heinkel
(Heinkel Flugzeugwerke)
Heinkel He 37 - fighter biplane
Heinkel He 38 - fighter biplane
Heinkel He 43 - fighter biplane
Heinkel He 45 - bomber/trainer
Heinkel He 46 - reconnaissance
Heinkel He 49 - fighter biplane
Heinkel He 50 - reconnaissance/dive bomber biplane
Heinkel He 51 - fighter/close-support biplane
Heinkel He 59 - reconnaissance biplane floatplane
Heinkel He 60 - ship-borne reconnaissance biplane floatplane
Heinkel He 70 Blitz - transport, 1932
Heinkel He 72 Kadett - trainer
Heinkel He 74 - fighter/advanced trainer prototype
Heinkel He 100 - fighter
Heinkel He 111 - bomber
Heinkel He 111Z Zwilling - 2 He 111s joined with 5th engine used for towing
Heinkel He 112 - fighter
Heinkel He 113 - propaganda designation for He 100
Heinkel He 114 - reconnaissance seaplane
Heinkel He 115 - general-purpose seaplane
Heinkel He 116 - transport/reconnaissance
Heinkel He 118 - dive bomber, two to Japan, testbed for turbojet HeS 3A in 1939
Heinkel He 119 - high speed recon bomber, record setter, two to Japan
Heinkel He 162 Volksjäger - jet fighter
Heinkel He 170 - reconnaissance/bomber, for Hungary
Heinkel He 172 - trainer prototype
Heinkel He 176 - rocket propelled experimental aircraft
Heinkel He 177 - heavy bomber
Heinkel He 178 - jet-engined experimental aircraft
Heinkel He 219 - night-fighter
Heinkel He 270 - reconnaissance/bomber prototype
Heinkel He 274 - high-altitude bomber
Heinkel He 277 - four-engined He-177, one modified for single "Superbomb" of
unknown type
Heinkel He 280 - jet fighter
Heinkel He 343 - jet bomber project
Heinkel P.1077 - rocket fighter, two prototypes 90% complete at defeat, further
versions planned
Heinkel Lerche - VTOL interceptor project
Heinkel Wespe - VTOL interceptor project
Henschel
(Henschel & Son)
Henschel Hs 117 - surface-to-air missile
Henschel Hs 121 - fighter/trainer prototype
Henschel Hs 122 - army co-operation, 2nd prototype became Hs 125
Henschel Hs 123 - ground-attack biplane
Henschel Hs 124 - heavy fighter/bomber prototype
Henschel Hs 125 - fighter/trainer prototype
Henschel Hs 126 - reconnaissance
Henschel Hs 127 - high speed bomber prototype
Henschel Hs 129 - ground-attack
Henschel Hs 130 - high altitude jet reconnaissance/bomber prototype
Henschel Hs 132 - jet dive bomber prototype
Henschel Hs 293 - rocket propelled glide bomb
Henschel Hs 294 - rocket propelled anti-shipping glide bomb
Henschel Hs 295 - rocket propelled torpedo glider
Henschel Hs 296 - rocket propelled torpedo glider
Henschel Hs 297 - rocket propelled torpedo glider
Henschel Hs 298 - air-to-air missile
Henschel Hs 315 - missile project
Henschel Hs GT 1200 - anti-shipping rocket-assisted glide bomb
Henschel Zitterrochen Torpedofish - supersonic missile
Horten
(Horten brothers)
Horten Parabola - parabolic flying wing prototype
Horten H.XIII - delta jet fighter project
Horten H.XVIIIB Amerika Bomber - project
Hütter
(Ulrich Hütter and Wolfgang Hütter)
Hütter Hü 136 - dive bomber project, 1938
Hutter Hü Fernzerstorer - 1942 destroyer project
Hütter Hü 211 - Improved He 219, 2 built in 1944, destroyed in bombing raid
Jeannin
(Fabrik und Jeannin Flugzeugbau)
Jeannin Taube - reconnaissance monoplane, 1914
Jeannin biplane - reconnaissance biplane, 1915
Junkers
(Junkers Flugzeug und Motorenwerke AG)
Junkers J 1 - experimental monoplane
Junkers J 2/E.I - monoplane fighter, 1916
Junkers J 3 - abandoned development of J 2
Junkers J 4/J.I - ground attack, 1917
Junkers J 7 - fighter prototype, led to D.I
Junkers J 8/CL.I - ground attack, 1917
Junkers J 9/D.I - fighter, 1917
Junkers J 11/CLS.I - seaplane two-seat fighter
Junkers A 20 - fighter
Junkers A 35
Junkers K 39 - bomber prototype
Junkers K 47 - dive bomber
Junkers Ju W33 - transport, 1926
Junkers Ju W34 - transport/reconnaissance, 1933
Junkers Ju 52 - transport/bomber
Junkers Ju 86 - bomber/reconnaissance
Junkers Ju 87 Stuka - dive-bomber
Junkers Ju 88 - bomber/reconnaissance + night-fighter
Junkers Ju 89 - heavy bomber prototype
Junkers Ju 90 - heavy bomber prototype
Junkers Ju 187 - prototype incomplete before cancellation
Junkers Ju 188 Rächer - bomber
Junkers Ju 248 - redesignated Me 263
Junkers Ju 252 - transport
Junkers Ju 287 - jet heavy bomber prototype
Junkers Ju 288 - bomber prototype
Junkers Ju 290 - long-range bomber prototype
Junkers Ju 322 Mammut - assault glider
Junkers Ju 352 Herkules - transport
Junkers Ju 388 Stortebeker - reconnaissance/night-fighter
Junkers Ju 390 - long-range bomber
Junkers Ju 488 - heavy bomber
Junkers EF 61 - high-altitude fighter/reconnaissance prototype
Junkers EF 126 - pulsejet fighter completed in USSR in 1947
Junkers EF 131 - Ju-287 derivative, completed in USSR in 1946
Junkers EF 132 - advanced heavy bomber
Junkers EF 140 - bomber completed in the USSR postwar
Junkers EF 150 - bomber completed in the USSR postwar
Junkers EF 152 - bomber project, became East German Baade 152 airliner cancelled
by Soviets
Klemm
(Klemm Leichtflugzeugbau GmbH)
Klemm Kl 25 - sportplane
Klemm Kl 31 - sportplane, 1931
Klemm Kl 32 - sportplane, 1931
Klemm Kl 33 - single-seat sportplane prototype, 1933
Klemm Kl 35 - sportplane/trainer, 1935
Klemm Kl 35Z Zwilling - twin fuselage Kl 35 to test theory of Messerschmitt Bf
109Z
Klemm Kl 36 - sportplane, 1934
Kondor
(Kondor Flugzeugwerke GmbH)
Kondor Taube - reconnaissance
Kondor W.1 - two-seater
Kondor W.2C - reconnaissance
Kondor B.I - trainer
Kondor D.I - sesquiplane fighter
Kondor D.II - biplane fighter
Kondor D.6 - biplane fighter
Kondor D.7 - sesquiplane fighter, 1917
Kondor E.III & IIIa - monoplane fighter, 1918
KW (Danzig)
(Kaiserliche Werft Danzig - German Navy Shipyard)
Kaiserliche Werft Danzig 404 - floatplane trainer
Kaiserliche Werft Danzig 467 - floatplane trainer
Kaiserliche Werft Danzig 1105 - floatplane trainer
Kaiserliche Werft Danzig 1650 - reconnaissance floatplane
KW (Kiel)
(Kaiserliche Werft Kiel - German Navy Shipyard)
Kaiserliche Werft Kiel 463 - floatplane trainer
KW (Wilhelmshaven)
(Kaiserliche Werft Wilhelmshaven - German Navy Shipyard)
Kaiserliche Werft Wilhelmshaven 401 - floatplane trainer
Kaiserliche Werft Wilhelmshaven 461 - floatplane trainer
Kaiserliche Werft Wilhelmshaven 945 - floatplane fighter
Kaiserliche Werft Wilhelmshaven 947 - reconnaissance floatplane
Laufer
Laufer VE-RO - jet helicopter project
LFG Roland
(Luft-Fahrzeug-Gesellschaft)
LFG Roland C.II - reconnaissance
LFG Roland C.III - reconnaissance
LFG Roland C.V - reconnaissance
LFG Roland C.VIII - reconnaissance
LFG Roland D.I - fighter
LFG Roland D.II & IIa - fighter
LFG Roland D.III - fighter
LFG Roland D.IV - triplane fighter
LFG Roland D.V - fighter
LFG Roland D.VI - fighter
LFG Roland D.VII - fighter
LFG Roland D.VIII - fighter
LFG Roland D.IX - fighter
LFG Roland D.XIII - fighter
LFG Roland D.XIV - fighter
LFG Roland D.XV - fighter
LFG Roland D.XVI - fighter
LFG Roland D.XVII - monoplane fighter
LFG Roland G.I - single engine heavy bomber
LFG Roland W - reconnaissance floatplane
LFG Roland WD - floatplane fighter
LFG V 19 Straslund - submarine aircraft
Linke-Hofmann
(Linke-Hofmann)
Linke-Hofmann R.I - heavy bomber
Linke-Hofmann R.II - heavy bomber
Lippisch
(Alexander Lippisch)
Lp DM-1 - delta-wing glider prototype
Lp P.XIIIb - ramjet fighter project
Lp GB 3/L - glide bomb
LTG
(Lufttorpedo-Gesellschaft Berlin)
LTG FD 1 - fighter floatplane
Lübeck-Travemünde
(Flugzeugwerft Lübeck-Travemünde GmbH)
Lübeck-Travemünde F.1 - floatplane reconnaissance
Lübeck-Travemünde F.2 - floatplane reconnaissance
Lübeck-Travemünde F.4 - floatplane reconnaissance
Lübeck-Travemünde 844 - single-seat seaplane
LVG
(Luftverkehrsgesellschaft mbH)
LVG B.I - reconnaissance/trainer
LVG B.II - reconnaissance/trainer
LVG B.III - trainer aircraft
LVG C.I - reconnaissance, one example modified as torpedo bomber
LVG C.II - reconnaissance
LVG C.III - reconnaissance
LVG C.IV - reconnaissance
LVG C.V - reconnaissance
LVG C.VI - reconnaissance
LVG C.VII - reconnaissance
LVG C.VIII - reconnaissance
LVG C.IX - reconnaissance
LVG D 10 - experimental fighter
LVG D.II - fighter
LVG D.III - fighter
LVG D.IV - fighter
LVG D.V - fighter
LVG D.VI - fighter
LVG E.I - armed reconnaissance monoplane, 1915
LVG G.I - bomber aircraft
LVG G.II - triplane bomber
LVG G.III - Schütte-Lanz G.V triplane bomber built by LVG
Märkische
(Märkische Flugzeueg-Werke)
Märkische D.I - fighter
Messerschmitt
(Messerschmitt Aktiengesellschaft)
Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun - trainer/liaison
Messerschmitt Bf 109 - fighter (also Me 109)
Messerschmitt Bf 109Z Zwilling - two Me Bf 109Fs joined, prototype in 1943 but
cancelled after damaged by bombs
Messerschmitt Bf 110 - heavy fighter/night-fighter
Messerschmitt Bf 161 - reconnaissance prototypes, 1937
Messerschmitt Bf 162 Jaguar - bomber prototype
Messerschmitt Bf 163 STOL reconnaissance prototype, built by Weserflu
Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet - rocket interceptor
Messerschmitt Me 209 - speed-record aircraft
Messerschmitt Me 209-II - fighter prototype unrelated to first Me 209
Messerschmitt Me 210 - heavy fighter/reconnaissance
Messerschmitt Me 261 Adolfine - long-range reconnaissance
Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe - jet fighter/bomber
Messerschmitt Me 263 - rocket interceptor
Messerschmitt Me 264 Amerika - long-range bomber prototype
Messerschmitt Me 265 - attack aircraft project
Messerschmitt Me 271bz Blitz Zerstorer - ramjet fighter project
Messerschmitt Me 290 - maritime patrol/bomber
Messerschmitt Me 309 - fighter prototype
Messerschmitt Me 321 Gigant - transport glider
Messerschmitt Me 323 Gigant - powered transport
Messerschmitt Me 328 - pulsejet parasite fighter
Messerschmitt Me 329 - heavy fighter project
Messerschmitt Me 362 - project 3 jet military airliner
Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse - heavy fighter/reconnaissance
Messerschmitt Me 509 - fighter project, improved Me-309
Messerschmitt Me 565 Vulkan - jet torpedo bomber project
Messerschmitt Me 600 Bussard - provisional designation for development of Sack
A.S.7
Messerschmitt Me 609 Nacht Wulf - heavy fighter/bomber project
Messerschmitt Me P.1101 - jet interceptor prototype w/variable sweep wing- basis
for Bell X-5
Messerschmitt Me P.1112 - jet fighter project, mock-up under construction in
1945
Mistel Composites
DFS 230 and Klemm Kl 35 - test combination
DFS 230 and Focke-Wulf Fw 56 - test combination
DFS 230 and Messerschmitt Bf 109F - test combo, first Mistel combination
Mistel 1 - warhead nosed Junkers Ju 88A-4 and Messerschmitt Bf 109F
Mistel S-1 - trainer version of Mistel 1
Mistel 2 - warhead nosed Junkers Ju 88G-1 and Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-8 or F-8
Mistel S-2 - trainer version of Mistel 2
Mistel 3 - warhead nosed Junkers Ju 88G and Focke-Wulf Fw 190A
Mistel S-3A - trainer version of Mistel 3A
Mistel Fuhrungsmaschine - long-range reconnaissance project with manned Ju 88H-4
with radar and Fw 190A-8 escort
Gigant Mistel - Messerschmitt Me 323 and Messerschmitt Me 328 project
Nagler and Rolz
Nagler and Rolz NR 54 - portable helicopter
Nagler and Rolz NR 55 - portable helicopter
Naglo
(Naglo Bootswerfte)
Naglo D.II - quadruplane fighter
NFW
(National Flugzeug-Werk GmbH Johannisthal)
NFW B.I - trainer
NFW E.I - experimental monoplane
NFW E.II - experimental monoplane, 1917
Oertz
(Oertz)
Oertz W 4 - flying boat
Oertz W 5 - flying boat
Oertz W 6 Flugschoner - tandem double biplane flying boat
Oerta W 7 - flying boat
Oertz W 8 - flying boat
Otto
(Gustav Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik & Otto Werke, Gustav Otto, München)
Otto pusher - reconnaissance pusher biplane, 1914
Otto B.I - reconnaissance tractor biplane, 1914
Otto C.I - reconnaissance pusher, 1915
Otto C.II - reconnaissance tractor biplane
Pfalz
(Pfalz Flugzeugwerke)
Pfalz A.I - reconnaissance monoplane, licence built Morane-Saulnier L
Pfalz A.II - reconnaissance monoplane
Pfalz C.I - Rumpler C.IV under licence with minor improvements
Pfalz E.I - monoplane fighter
Pfalz E.II - monoplane fighter
Pfalz E.III - monoplane fighter
Pfalz E.IV - monoplane fighter
Pfalz E.V - monoplane fighter
Pfalz D type - fighter biplane
Pfalz D.III & IIIa - fighter
Pfalz D.IV - fighter
Pfalz D.VI - fighter
Pfalz D.VII - fighter
Pfalz D.VIII - fighter
Pfalz D.XII - fighter
Pfalz D.XIV - fighter
Pfalz D.XV - fighter
Pfalz Dr.I - triplane fighter
Pfalz Dr.II - triplane fighter
Reiseler, Walter
Reiseler R-1 - helicopter
Reiseler R-2 - helicopter
Rex
(Flugmaschine Rex GmbH)
Rex 1915 Scout - fighter, 1915
Rex 1916 Scout - fighter, 1916
Rex 1917 Scout - fighter, 1917
Rohrbach, Adolph
Rohrbach Cyclogyro - 1933 paddle-wing project
Rohrbach
(Rohrbach Metall-Flugzeugbau)
Rohrbach Ro IV Inverness - patrol seaplane
Rohrbach Ro IX Rofix - fighter
Rohrbach Roterra - trimotor medium bomber, 1930, rejected by Reichswehr licensed
to Czechoslovakia as Avia 46
Ruhrstahl
Ruhrstahl X-4 - air-to-air missile (rocket-powered)
Rumpler
(Rumpler Flugzeugwerke)
Rumpler Taube - reconnaissance monoplane
Rumpler 4A/B.I - reconnaissance
Rumpler 4E - flying boat, 1914
Rumpler 4A 15 - bomber, 1915
Rumpler 5A/C.I & Ia - reconnaissance
Rumpler 5A 15/G.I - bomber, 1915
Rumpler 5A 16/G.II - bomber
Rumpler 6A/C.III - reconnaissance
Rumpler 6B - fighter floatplane
Rumpler 6G 2/G.III - bomber
Rumpler 7C/C.IX - reconnaissance
Rumpler 7D - experimental fighters
Rumpler 8C/C.X - reconnaissance
Rumpler 8D/D.I - fighter
Rumpler C.IV - reconnaissance
Rumpler C.V - reconnaissance
Rumpler C.VI - reconnaissance
Rumpler C.VII - reconnaissance
Rumpler C.VIII - reconnaissance
Sablatnig
(Sablatnig Flugzeugbau GmbH)
Sablatnig SF-1 - two-seat floatplane
Sablatnig SF-2 - reconnaissance/trainer floatplane
Sablatnig SF-3 - floatplane fighter
Sablatnig SF-4 - floatplane triplane fighter
Sablatnig SF-5 - reconnaissance floatplane
Sablatnig SF-6/B.I - trainer
Sablatnig SF-7 - floatplane fighter
Sablatnig SF-8 - floatplane trainer
Sablatnig C.I - reconnaissance
Sablatnig C.II - reconnaissance
Sablatnig C.III - reconnaissance
Sablatnig N.I - night bomber
Sack, Arthur
Arthur Sack A.S.6 Bierdeckel - 1944 disk winged prototype
Sanger-Bredt
Sanger Antipodal Bomber Silbervogel - jet bomber project, mock-up built
Schneider
(Flugmaschine Fabrik Franz Schneider GmbH)
Schneider fighter 1918 - fighter
Schütte-Lanz
(Luftfahrzeugbau Schütte-Lanz)
Schütte-Lanz C.I - reconnaissance pusher
Schütte-Lanz D.I - fighter, possibly a copy of the Sopwith Tabloid
Schütte-Lanz D.II - fighter prototype, re-engined D.I with Mercedes inline, 1915
Schütte-Lanz D.III - fighter
Schütte-Lanz D.IV - fighter biplane
Schütte-Lanz D.VI - monoplane fighter with lifting struts
Schütte-Lanz D.VII - fighter biplane
Schütte-Lanz Dr.I - triplane fighter
Schütte-Lanz G.I - large fighting aircraft
Schütte-Lanz R.I - heavy bomber project
Schwade
(Schwade Flugzeug und Motorenbau GmbH)
Schwade 1914 Single-seater - pusher fighter biplane
Schwade 1915 Single-seater - pusher biplane
Siebel
(Siebel Flugzeugwerke)
Siebel Fh 104 Hallore - medium transport
Siebel Si 201 - STOL reconnaissance aircraft prototype
Siebel Si 202 Hummel - sportplane/trainer, 1938
Siebel Si 204 - transport/crew trainer
SSW
(Siemens-Schuckertwerke)
Siemens-Schuckert Bulldogge - single-seat monoplane, 1915
Siemens-Schuckert B type - reconnaissance
Siemens-Schuckert DD 5 - fighter biplane
Siemens-Schuckert D.I & Ia - fighter
Siemens-Schuckert D.IIe - fighter
Siemens-Schuckert D.III - fighter
Siemens-Schuckert D.IV - fighter
Siemens-Schuckert D.V - fighter
Siemens-Schuckert D.VI - fighter
Siemens-Schuckert Dr.II - fighter
Siemens-Schuckert DDr.I - fighter
Siemens-Schuckert E.I - fighter
Siemens-Schuckert E.II - fighter
Siemens-Schuckert L.I - heavy bomber, originally to have been G.III
Siemens-Schuckert R.I - heavy bomber
Siemens-Schuckert R.II - heavy bomber
Siemens-Schuckert R.III - heavy bomber
Siemens-Schuckert R.IV - heavy bomber
Siemens-Schuckert R.V - heavy bomber
Siemens-Schuckert R.VI - heavy bomber
Siemens-Schuckert R.VII - heavy bomber
Siemens-Schuckert R.VIII - heavy bomber
Siemens-Schuckert Forssman - heavy bomber
Siemens-Schuckert Torpedoglieter - series of radio control glide bombs
Škoda-Kauba (Occupied Czechoslovakia)
(Škoda-Kauba Flugzeugbau)
Škoda-Kauba Sk V-5
Škoda-Kauba Sk 257
Skoda-Kauba Sk P.14 - ramjet fighter project
Soldenhoff
Soldenhoff A.2
Soldenhoff S 5 - experimental swept flying wing, 1936
Sombold, Heinz
Sombold So 344 Rammschußjäger - rocket-powered interceptor project, 1944
Stöckel
Stöckel Rammschussjäger - ramjet-powered interceptor project, 1944
Udet
(Udet Flugzeugbau)
Udet U 12 Flamingo - trainer
Ursinus
(Oskar Ursinus)
Ursinus Seaplane - fighter floatplane with retractable floats
VFW
(Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke)
VFW VAK 191B - VTOL fighter/ground attack
VFW-Fokker
(VFW-Fokker GmbH)
VFW-Fokker 614 - STOL transport
Wernher von Braun
(Wernher von Braun)
Von Braun Interceptor - rocket VTO interceptor project, 1939
Weserflug
(Weser Flugzeugbau GmbH)
Weser We 271 - amphibian aircraft, prototype, 1939
Weser P.1003 - tilt-rotor aircraft project
Weser P.2127 - twin-boom aircraft project
Weser P.2138 - large flying boat project
WNF
(Wiener Neustadter Flugzeugwerk)
WNF-4
WNF Wn 11
WNF Wn 15
WNF Wn 16
WNF-342
Zeppelin Werke
(Zeppelin-Werke GmbH)
Zeppelin-Lindau (Dornier) Rs.I - giant patrol seaplane
Zeppelin-Lindau (Dornier) Rs.II - giant patrol seaplane
Zeppelin-Lindau (Dornier) Rs.III - giant patrol seaplane
Zeppelin-Lindau (Dornier) Rs.IV - giant patrol seaplane
Zeppelin-Lindau (Dornier) D.I - fighter
Zeppelin-Lindau (Dornier) C.I - two-seat military aircraft
Zeppelin-Lindau (Dornier) C.II - two-seat military aircraft
Zeppelin-Lindau (Dornier) CS.I - two-seat floatplane
Zeppelin-Lindau (Dornier) CL.II - two seat close support/ground attack aircraft
Zeppelin-Lindau (Dornier) V1 - experimental pusher to test stressed skin
structure
Zeppelin (Ja) C.I - reconnaissance, unrelated to previous C.I
Zeppelin (Ja) C.II - reconnaissance, unrelated to previous C.II
Zeppelin-Staaken V.G.O.I - heavy bomber
Zeppelin-Staaken V.G.O.II - heavy bomber
Zeppelin-Staaken V.G.O.III - heavy bomber
Zeppelin-Staaken R.IV - heavy bomber
Zeppelin-Staaken R.V - heavy bomber
Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI & Type L - seaplane . heavy bomber/patrol bomber
Zeppelin-Staaken R.VII - heavy bomber
Zeppelin-Staaken 8301 - heavy floatplane bomber
Zeppelin-Staaken R.XIV - heavy bomber
Zeppelin-Staaken R.XV - heavy bomber
Zeppelin-Staaken R.XVI - heavy bomber
Zeppelin-Staaken E-4/20 - heavy bomber/transport
Zeppelin Fliegende Panzerfaust (Flying Armored Fist) aircraft project
Zeppelin Rammer - ramming aircraft project
wikipedia.org (en)
List of military aircraft of Germany
This list of military aircraft of Germany includes prototype, pre-production,
and operational types. No distinction is drawn here between different services
until 1991.
In 1990, the various air arms of the former German Democratic Republic were
absorbed by their counterparts in the Federal Republic of Germany. Some types
that had been operated by the GDR were no longer in service by then, and these
are so noted.
1. Before 1919
Albatros D.II
Albatros D.III
Albatros D.V
Albatros D.Va
Daimler L.6
Fokker D.I
Fokker D.II
Fokker D.III
Fokker D.IV
Fokker D.V
Fokker D.VI
Fokker D.VII
Fokker D.VIIF
Fokker D.VIII
Fokker Dr.I
Fokker E.I
Fokker E.III
Fokker E.IV
Fokker E.V
Halberstadt D.I
Halberstadt D.II
Halberstadt D.III
Halberstadt D.V
Junkers D.I
Kondor D.VI
Kondor E.III
Naglo D.II
Pfalz D.III
Pfalz D.IIIa
Pfalz D.VIII
Pfalz D.XII
Pfalz D.XV
Pfalz Dr.I
Pfalz E.I
Pfalz E.II
Roland D.I
Roland D.II
Roland D.III
Roland D.VI
Siemens-Schuckert D.I
Siemens-Schuckert D.II
Siemens-Schuckert D.III
Siemens-Schuckert D.IV
Zeppelin-Lindau D.I
2. Bombers and ground-attack aircraft
AEG DJ.I
AEG G.I
AEG G.II
AEG G.III
AEG G.IV
Gotha G.V
Junkers CL.I
Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI
3. Patrol and reconnaissance
AEG C.II
AGO C.I
AGO C.II
AGO C.IV
Albatros B.I
Albatros B.II
Albatros C.I
Albatros C.III
Albatros C.V
Albatros C.VII
Albatros C.IX
Albatros C.X
Albatros C.XII
Aviatik B.I
Aviatik C.I
Aviatik C.VI
DFW B.I
DFW C.V
Etrich Taube
Halberstadt CL.II
Halberstadt CL.IV (Hannover C.IV ?!)
Hannover CL.II
Hannover CL.III
Hannover CL.IV
Hannover C.V
Hansa-Brandenburg W.12
Hansa-Brandenburg W.19
Hansa-Brandenburg W.29
Hansa-Brandenburg W.33
Junkers J.I
LVG B.I
LVG C.II
Rumpler C.I
Rumpler C.IV
Rumpler Taube
4. Trainers
Euler D.I
5. Experimental and research
Fokker V 1
Fokker V 2
Fokker V 3 (reference has seven photographs)
Fokker V 4
Fokker V 5
Fokker V 6
Fokker V 7 and V 7/I, and V 7/II, and V 7/III, and V 7/IV
Fokker V 9 and V 12, and V 14, and V 16, and V 33
Fokker V 17 and V 20, and V 21, and V 23, and V 25
Fokker V 27 and V 37
Junkers J 1 (pioneering all-metal aircraft)
Junkers J 7 (single-seat all-metal fighter demonstration prototype)
1) 1919-1945
1.1) Fighters and interceptors
Arado Ar 64, fighter (biplane)
Arado Ar 65, fighter/trainer (biplane - re-engined Ar 64)
Arado Ar 67, fighter (biplane) (prototype)
Arado Ar 68, fighter (biplane)
Arado Ar 76, fighter (biplane) + trainer
Arado Ar 80, fighter (prototype)
Arado Ar 197, naval fighter (biplane - derived from Ar 68)
Arado Ar 240, heavy fighter + attack, Zerstörer (Destroyer)
Arado Ar 440, heavy fighter + attack, Zerstörer (Destroyer)
Blohm & Voss BV 40, fighter glider, interceptor
Blohm & Voss BV 155, day fighter, high-altitude interceptor (formerly Me 155)
Bachem Ba 349 Natter (Adder or Viper), interceptor (rocket-engine)
Dornier Do 10, (Do C1) fighter (prototype), 1931
Dornier Do 29, prototype heavy fighter, Zerstörer
Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow), fighter-bomber + night fighter (push-pull engine
configuration)
Dornier Do 435, fighter-bomber
Dornier Do 635, long-range reconnaissance
Fieseler Fi 98, biplane dive bomber, 1936
Focke-Wulf Fw 57, heavy fighter + bomber (prototype)
Focke-Wulf Ta 152, interceptor (derived from Fw 190)
Focke-Wulf Ta 154 Moskito (Mosquito), night-fighter
Focke-Wulf Fw 159, fighter (prototype only)
Focke-Wulf Ta 183, jet-engined fighter (prototype)
Focke-Wulf Fw 187 Falke (Falcon), heavy fighter
Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Würger (butcher-bird), fighter
Heinkel He 37, fighter (biplane)
Heinkel He 38, fighter (biplane)
Heinkel He 43, fighter (biplane)
Heinkel He 49, fighter (biplane)
Heinkel He 51, fighter + close-support (biplane)
Heinkel He 100, fighter
Heinkel He 112, fighter
Heinkel He 113, fighter (alternative propaganda designation for He 100)
Heinkel He 162 Volksjäger (People's Fighter), fighter (jet-engined)
Heinkel He 219 Uhu (Eagle-Owl), night-fighter
Heinkel He 280, fighter (jet-engined)
Henschel Hs 121, fighter + trainer (prototype)
Henschel Hs 124, heavy fighter + bomber (prototype)
Henschel Hs 125, fighter + trainer (prototype)
Horten Ho 229, fighter-bomber (jet-powered flying-wing)
Junkers Ju 248, re-designation of Me 263
Messerschmitt Bf 109, fighter + night-fighter (often mis-designated as the "Me
109")
Messerschmitt Bf 110, heavy fighter + night fighter + fighter-bomber +
ground-attack
Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet (Comet), interceptor (rocket-engined)
Messerschmitt Me 209, fighter + speed-record aircraft (prototype)
Messerschmitt Me 209-II, fighter (prototype - completely different from Me 209)
Messerschmitt Me 210, heavy fighter + reconnaissance + ground-attack +
fighter-bomber + dive bomber
Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe (Swallow), fighter + attack (jet-engined)
Messerschmitt Me 263, interceptor (rocket-engined)
Messerschmitt Me 265, heavy fighter prototype
Messerschmitt Me 309, fighter (prototype)
Messerschmitt Me 328, pulsejet fighter/attack aircraft (prototype)
Messerschmitt Me 329, heavy fighter prototype
Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse (Hornet), heavy fighter + reconnaissance +
fighter-bomber + night-fighter
Messerschmitt Me 609, heavy fighter + bomber (project)
1.2) Bombers and ground-attack aircraft
Arado Ar 66, trainer + night ground attack
Arado Ar 234 Blitz ('Lightning'), bomber + night-fighter (jet-engined)
Blohm & Voss Ha 140, torpedo bomber floatplane (prototype)
Blohm & Voss BV 237, dive bomber, ground attack (project)
Dornier Do 11, (Do F) medium bomber, 1931
Dornier Do 13, medium bomber, 1933
Dornier Do 17 Fliegender Bleistift (Flying Pencil), bomber + recon +
night-fighter
Dornier Do 18, bomber + reconnaissance flying-boat, 1935
Dornier Do 19, quad-engined heavy bomber (prototype)
Dornier Do 22, torpedo bomber + reconnaissance seaplane
Dornier Do 23, bomber
Dornier Do 215, bomber + night-fighter
Dornier Do 217, bomber + night-fighter
Dornier Do 317
Fieseler Fi 167, ship-borne torpedo bomber + reconnaissance (biplane)
Focke-Wulf Fw 42, prototype bomber
Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhu (Eagle Owl), reconnaissance
Focke-Wulf Fw 191, heavy bomber prototype
Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor, heavy bomber
Focke-Wulf Ta 400, long-range bomber
Heinkel He 45, bomber + trainer
Heinkel He 50, reconnaissance + dive bomber (biplane)
Heinkel He 111, bomber
Heinkel He 177 Greif (Griffon), long-range bomber
Heinkel He 274, high-altitude bomber, two prototypes completed post-war in
France
Heinkel He 277, never-built trans-oceanic range bomber, evolved into Amerika
Bomber competitor
Heinkel He 343, jet bomber/reconnaissance, design only
Henschel Hs 123, ground-attack (biplane)
Henschel Hs 127, bomber (prototype)
Henschel Hs 129, ground-attack
Henschel Hs 130, high altitude reconnaissance + bomber (prototype)
Henschel Hs 132, dive bomber (jet-engined) (prototype)
Hütter Hü 136, dive-bomber (prototype)
Junkers Ju 86, bomber + extreme high-altitude reconnaissance
Junkers Ju 87 Stuka, dive-bomber + ground-attack {445000}
Junkers Ju 88, bomber + reconnaissance + night-fighter
Junkers Ju 89, heavy bomber (prototype)
Junkers Ju 90, bomber (prototype)
Junkers Ju 187, dive bomber (prototype)
Junkers Ju 188, Rächer (Avenger), bomber + recon
Junkers Ju 287, heavy bomber (jet-engined) (prototype)
Junkers Ju 288, bomber (prototype)
Junkers Ju 290, long-range bomber + recon
Junkers Ju 388, bomber (prototype)
Junkers Ju 390, long-range bomber (prototype), Amerika Bomber competitor
Junkers Ju 488, heavy bomber project
Junkers EF 132, heavy bomber project
Messerschmitt Bf 162, bomber (prototype)
Messerschmitt Me 264, long-range bomber (prototype), first-built and flown
Amerika Bomber competitor
1.3) Patrol and reconnaissance
Arado Ar 95, coastal patrol + attack (biplane seaplane)
Arado Ar 196, ship-borne reconnaissance + coastal patrol (seaplane)
Arado Ar 198, reconnaissance
Arado Ar 231, fold-wing U-boat reconnaissance aircraft (prototype)
Blohm & Voss BV 138 Fliegende Holzschuh, flying-boat (early versions designated
as Ha 138)
Blohm & Voss BV 141, reconnaissance (asymmetric)
Blohm & Voss BV 142, reconnaissance + transport
Blohm & Voss BV 222 long-range flying boat
Blohm & Voss BV 238, flying-boat (prototype
DFS 228, rocket-powered reconnaissance aircraft (prototype only)
Dornier Do 16, previously Do J, better known as Wal (Whale), reconnaissance
flying-boat
Dornier Do 18 reconnaissance flying-boat
Fieseler Fi 156 Storch (Stork), STOL reconnaissance aircraft
Focke-Wulf Fw 62, ship-borne reconnaissance (biplane seaplane)
Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor, transport + maritime patrol-bomber
Focke-Wulf Fw 300 proposed long-range version of Fw 200
Gotha Go 147, STOL reconnaissance (prototype)
Heinkel He 46, reconnaissance
Heinkel He 59, reconnaissance (biplane seaplane)
Heinkel He 60, ship-borne reconnaissance (biplane seaplane)
Heinkel He 114, reconnaissance seaplane
Heinkel He 116, transport + reconnaissance
Henschel Hs 126, reconnaissance
Hütter Hü 211, reconnaissance and night fighter
Junkers Ju 388 Störtebeker, reconnaissance + night-fighter
Messerschmitt Bf 163 STOL reconnaissance aircraft (prototypes only)
Messerschmitt Me 261, long-range reconnaissance
Messerschmitt Me 321 Gigant, heavy transport glider
Messerschmitt Me 323 Gigant, powered version of Me 321
Siebel Si 201, STOL reconnaissance aircraft (prototype)
1.4) Transport and utility
Arado Ar 232 Tausendfüssler, transport
Blohm & Voss Ha 139, long-range seaplane
Blohm & Voss BV 144, transport
Blohm & Voss BV 222 Wiking (Viking), transport flying-boat
DFS 230, transport glider
DFS 331, transport glider (prototype)
Dornier Do 12, Libelle seaplane
Dornier Do 14, seaplane (prototype)
Dornier Do 26, transport flying-boat
Dornier Do 214, transport flying-boat (prototype)
Gotha Go 146, small transport (twin-engine), 1935
Gotha Go 242, transport glider
Gotha Go 244, transport
Gotha Go 345, assault glider
Gotha Ka 430, transport glider
Heinkel He 70, "Blitz" (Lightning), single-engine transport + mailplane, 1932
Heinkel He 115, general-purpose seaplane
Junkers Ju 52 Tante Ju (Auntie Ju), transport + bomber
Junkers Ju 252, transport
Junkers Ju 322, transport glider
Junkers Ju 352 Herkules (Hercules), transport
Junkers W34, transport
Klemm Kl 31, single-engine transport, 1931
Klemm Kl 32, single-engine transport, 1931
Klemm Kl 36, single-engine transport, 1934
Messerschmitt Me 321 Gigant (Giant), transport glider
Messerschmitt Me 323, transport. Motorised version of Me 321
Siebel Fh 104 Hallore, medium transport
Siebel Si 204, transport + aircrew trainer
1.5) Trainers
Albatros Al 101
Albatros Al 102
Albatros Al 103
Arado Ar 69, trainer (biplane) (prototypes), 1933
Arado Ar 96, trainer
Arado Ar 199, seaplane trainer
Arado Ar 396, trainer
Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann (Young Man), trainer (biplane)
Bücker Bü 133 Jungmeister (Young Champion), trainer + aerobatics (biplane)
Bücker Bü 180 Student (Student), trainer
Bücker Bü 181 Bestmann (Bestman), trainer + transport
Bücker Bü 182 Kornett (Ensign), trainer
Fieseler Fi 5 (F-5) acrobatic sportsplane + trainer, 1933
Focke-Wulf Fw 44 Stieglitz (Goldfinch), trainer (biplane)
Focke-Wulf Fw 56 Stösser (Falcon Hawk), trainer (parasol monoplane)
Focke-Wulf Fw 58 Weihe (Kite), transport + trainer
Gotha Go 145, trainer
Heinkel He 72 Kadett (Cadet), trainer
Heinkel He 74, fighter + advanced trainer (prototype)
Heinkel He 172, trainer (prototype)
Klemm Kl 35, sportplane + trainer, 1935
Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun (Typhoon), trainer + transport
Siebel Si 202 "Hummel" sportplane + trainer, 1938
1.6) Helicopters
Flettner Fl 184 prototype reconnaissance helicopter
Flettner Fl 185 prototype reconnaissance helicopter
Flettner Fl 265 prototype reconnaissance helicopter
Flettner Fl 282 Kolibri (Hummingbird), reconnaissance helicopter
Flettner Fl 339 prototype reconnaissance helicopter
Focke Achgelis Fa 223 Drache (Dragon), transport helicopter (prototype
Focke Achgelis Fa 266 Hornisse (Hornet), helicopter (prototype)
Focke Achgelis Fa 330, unpowered "gyrokite" (prototype)
Focke Achgelis Fa 336 scout helicopter (prototype), 1944
Focke-Wulf Fw 61, helicopter (prototype)
Focke-Wulf Fw 186, autogiro reconnaissance aircraft (prototype)
1.7) Experimental and research
DFS 39, Lippisch-designed tail-less research aircraft
DFS 40, Lippisch-designed tail-less research aircraft
DFS 194, rocket-powered research aircraft, forerunner of Me 163
DFS 228, rocket-powered high altitude long range reconnaissance prototype
DFS 332
DFS 346, supersonic research aircraft (incomplete prototype only)
Göppingen Gö 9 development aircraft for Do 335 Pfeil
Heinkel He 176, pioneering liquid-fueled rocket-engined experimental aircraft (prototype)
Heinkel He 178, pioneering jet-engined experimental aircraft
Heinkel Lerche, VTOL experiment
Lippisch P.13a, delta-winged ramjet powered fighter.
Messerschmitt Me P.1101, variable-geometry jet fighter.
2) 1946-1991
2.1) Fighters and interceptors
- West Germany
Hawker Sea Hawk
Lockheed F-104F, G, TF-104G Starfighter
McDonnell-Douglas F-4F, F, RF-4E Phantom II
North American/Canadair CL-13 Sabre 5, 6, F-86K
Republic F-84 Thunderstreak, RF-84F Thunderflash
- East Germany
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15bis, UTI (DDR only)
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17F, PF (DDR only)
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19PF, PFM, PM, S, SF (DDR only)
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21F, F-13, FL, M, MF, PF, PFM, PFS, RF, SPS, SPSK, bis, UM,
US, USM, UTI
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23BN, MF, ML, PFM, S, UB
Mikoyan MiG-29, -29UBC
Sukhoi Su-20
Sukhoi Su-22, -22UM
2.2) Bombers and ground-attack aircraft
- West Germany
Panavia Tornado IDS
Dornier Alpha Jet A
Fiat G-91
- East Germany
Ilyushin Il-28, -28U (DDR only)
Sukhoi Su-22M4s,-48U (DDR only)
2.3) Patrol and reconnaissance
- West Germany
Breguet Atlantic I
English Electric Canberra B.2 Used in ground mapping and Recon role
Fairey Gannet A.S.4, T.5
Grob Egrett II
Grumman OV-1 Mohawk Evaluated only
Lockheed RF-104G Starfighter
2.4) Transport and utility
- West Germany
Airbus A310
Boeing 707
Canadair Challenger
Convair C-131 Samaritan
de Havilland Heron 2D
Dornier Do DS-10
Dornier Do 27A, B
Dornier Do 28A-1, D "Skyservant"
Dornier 228-201
Dornier Do 29
Dornier Do 32E
Dornier Do 34
Douglas A-26 Invader only used for target towing
Douglas C-47 Skytrain
Douglas DC-6B
Grumman HU-16 Albatross
HFB 320 Hansa Jet
Learjet 35A, 36A
LET L-410
Lockheed C-140 Jetstar
Nord Noratlas
North American OV-10B
Percival Pembroke C54
Pützer Elster B
Transall C-160D
VFW 614
- East Germany
Antonov An-2, -2S, -2T, -2TD (DDR only)
Antonov An-12
Antonov An-14 (DDR only)
Antonov An-26
Ilyushin Il-14 (DDR only)
Ilyushin Il-18 (DDR only)
Ilyushin Il-62
LET Brigadyr (DDR only)
Polikarpov Po-2 (DDR only)
Tupolev Tu-124 (DDR only)
Tupolev Tu-134
Tupolev Tu-154M
Yakovlev Yak-40 (DDR only)
2.5) Trainers
- West Germany
Cessna T-37B
Dassault Breguet Dornier Alpha Jet 1A
Fiat G.91 R-3, R-4, T-1
Fouga CM.170 Magister, Potez-Heinkel CM-191
Lockheed T-33A
MBB Fan Ranger 2000
North American T-6 Texan
Northrop T-38A Talon
Piaggio P.149D
Pilatus PC-9
Piper Super Cub h
RFB Fantrainer
Siat Flamingo
- East Germany
Aero Albatros
Aero L-29 Delfín (DDR only)
Aero Super Aero 45S (DDR only)
Yakovlev Yak-11 (DDR only)
Yakovlev Yak-18 (DDR only)
Zlin Z43 (DDR only)
2.6) Helicopters
- West Germany
Aérospatiale Alouette II
Aérospatiale Dauphin N4
Aérospatiale Djinn
Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma
Aérospatiale Super Puma
Aérospatiale Cougar
Bell 47G-2
UH-1D Iroquois/Bell 205/212
Bölkow Bö 46
Bristol Sycamore
Hiller UH-12C
MBB Bo 102
MBB Bo 103
MBB Bo 105A, BSH-1, C, M, VBH, P, PAH-1
MBB Bo 106
MBB Bo 115
MBB/Kawasaki BK 117A-3M
Merckle SM 67
Saro Skeeters Mk. 50, Mk.51
Sikorsky CH-34A, C, G
Westland Sea King HAS.41
Sikorsky Skycrane
Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion
Vertol H-21 Shawnee
Wallis Venom
Westland Lynx HAS 88
- East Germany
Kamov Ka-29
Mil Mi-1 (DDR only)
Mil Mi-2
Mil Mi-4 (DDR only)
Mil Mi-8, TB, S, Mi-9, Mi-17
Mil Mi-14BT, PL
Mil Mi-24
2.7) Experimental and research
Dornier Do 31
EWR VJ 101C
VFW VAK 191B
Hawker Kestrel F.(GA)1
RFB X-114
MBB Lampyridae
2.8) Other aircraft
Gloster Meteor TT.20
Hawker Sea Fury TT.20
Panavia Tornado ECR
3.3) 1991 onwards
The reunified Germany's military aircraft consisted of a mix of East and West
German Aircraft that were in service along with new aircraft acquired after
combining. In 2004 the last remnants of the communist East German armed forces "NVA"
have been given to neighbour countries of Germany, such as Poland.
Fighters and interceptors
Eurofighter Typhoon {44575}
McDonnell-Douglas F-4F Phantom II
MiG-29G (sold to Poland in 2004)
Fighter bombers
- Air Force
Panavia Tornado IDS {70550}
Panavia Tornado ECR
- Navy
Panavia Tornado IDS (transferred to air force in 2005)
Patrol and reconnaissance
- Luftwaffe
Panavia Tornado RECCE version with reconnaissance pod
- Navy
Breguet Atlantic, out of service
P-3C Orion (with the most modern upgrades worldwide)
UAVs
- Air Force
EuroHawk (out of service)
IAI Heron (on order)
- Army
Bombardier/Dornier CL 289
EMT Aladin
EMT Luna
EMT Mikado
Rheinmetall KZO
Transport and utility
- Air Force
Airbus A310 MRTT + VIP, out of service
Airbus A319
Airbus A321
Airbus A340-300 Two former Lufthansa, service entry 2009.
Airbus ACJ350 XWB, service entry 1 x 2020, 2 x 2022
Airbus Military A400M
Bombardier Global Express Ordered, replaced Challengers.
Transall C-160D, out of service
Ilyushin Il-62 Former Interflug, out of service.
Tupolev Tu-134 Former Interflug, out of service.
Tupolev Tu-154M Former NVA, out of service. One out of two modified for Open
Skies.
Let L-410 Turbolet Former NVA, out of service.
- Navy
Dornier 228-201
Trainers
Cessna T-37B Tweet
Northrop T-38A Talon
Grob G 120
Grob G 120TP
Helicopters
- Army
NHIndustries NH90
Eurocopter Tiger
Eurocopter EC-135 (Trainer)
Bell UH-1D, out of service
Eurocopter (MBB) BO-105P/M, out of service
- Navy
Westland Sea King
Westland Lynx
NHIndustries NH90 Sea Lion
- Air Force
Bell UH-1D, out of service
Eurocopter Cougar AS532
Sikorsky CH-53G/GS (extensive upgrades planned)
Airbus Helicopters H145M
Experimental and research
EADS Barracuda
wikipedia.org (en)