Albatros B.II

Albatros B.II
B.II
Albatros B.II in exhibition in Polish Aviation Museum
Role Reconnaissance aircraft
Manufacturer Albatros Flugzeugwerke
First flight 1914
Primary users Germany
Sweden
Austro-Hungary
Finland

The Albatros B.II was an unarmed German two-seat reconnaissance biplane of the First World War.

Contents

Design and development

Designed by Ernst Heinkel based on his 1913 Albatros B.I, the B.II was the aircraft that brought the aircraft manufacturer Albatros Flugzeugwerke to the world's attention.

The B.II had a shorter wingspan than the B.I and used a variety of engines up to 89 kW (120 hp). In 1914 it set an altitude record of 4,500 m (14,800 ft). The seating arrangement was not ideal; the pilot occupied the rear cockpit and the observer sat in front over the wings which greatly reduced his downward view while the protruding engine block almost completely obscured the view over the nose. When Albatros developed the armed C.I based on their B-series, the seat positions were swapped so that the observer/gunner had a better view and clear field of fire.

A floatplane variant of the B.II was developed, known as the W.I or B.II-W, as was a purpose-built trainer with increased wingspan and different engines, designated the B.IIa. Further developments led to the Albatros B.III, which was produced in small numbers.

Operational history

First flying in 1914, large numbers of the B.II were built and, though it was relegated from front-line service in 1915 following the introduction of the armed C-type two-seaters, the B.II remained in service as a trainer until 1918 and was still operated by the Swedish Air Force in 1919 and by the Polish Air Force during Polish-Soviet war in 1920.

Service in Sweden

FVM-built Albatros B.IIa displayed in the Swedish Air Force Museum

In 1914, the German manufacturer Albatros-Flugzeugwerke GmbH of Berlin-Johannisthal was touring several countries in northern Europe, displaying their new aircraft, the Albatros B.IIa. At the time, it was considered one of the best primary trainer aircraft. However, the landing gear and the propeller were damaged when it arrived in Sweden. Due to the outbreak of World War I, no spares could be sent, and the aircraft was interned. It was repaired and used as a trainer in 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 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 being used until 1935. One aircraft was later sold to Finland.

Service in 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 9, and one each of the Type 12 and 17. Further there was one SW 20 Albatros, which was similar to Type 9. The Type 12 aircraft was destroyed in the ferrying flight to Finland and the remains of the aircraft were found near Eckerö, Åland.

Variants

B.II
Developed from the B.I,the B.II enterred production in 1914
B.IIa
strengthened airframe, particularly the tail section and 120hp Mercedes D.II or 120hp Argus As III engines with radiators moved to the leading edge of the upper centre section.
Finnish Air Force NAB (SW 20) Albatros aircraft
Type Registration code Manufacturing number First flight Last flight
SW 20 Albatros F2 27 Bought on February 20, 1918, from NAB Destroyed April 13, 1918
Type 9 F4 3 March 16, 1918, Vaasa April 4, 1923
Type 9 F6 6 April 15, 1918 Scrapped 1918
Type 12 F10 1 March 7, 1918 Sank during an emergency landing on June 29, 1918
Type 17 Jagare F8 1 April 15, 1918, Vaasa April 15, 1923

Operators

 German Empire
 Austria
 Finland
 Lithuania
 Poland
 Sweden
 Bulgaria
 United Kingdom

Specifications (B.II with Mercedes D.II engine)

Data from German aircraft of the First World War[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 7.63 m (25 ft 0⅜ in)
  • Wingspan: 12.8 m (42 ft 0 in)
  • Height: 3.15 m (10 ft 4 in)
  • Wing area: 40.12 m2 (433 ft2)
  • Empty weight: 723 kg (1,591 lb)
  • Gross weight: 1,071 kg (2,356 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.II, 89.5 kW (120 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 120 km/h (75 mph)
  • Endurance: 4 hours
  • Service ceiling: 3,000 m (9,840 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 1.6 m/s (320 ft/min)

See also

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

Related lists

References

  1. ^ Jarrett, Philip (2010). "The Allies' Albatros". Aeroplane (IPC) (July 2010): p82-87. 
  2. ^ Gray, Peter; Owen Thetford (1970) (in English). German aircraft of the First World War (2nd ed.). London: Putnam. ISBN 0 370 00103 6. 

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