Albatros B.II
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The Albatros B.II was an unarmed German two-seat reconnaissance biplane of the First World War. 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. 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.
The B.II had a shorter wingspan than the B.I and used a variety of engines up to 120-hp (89 kW). In 1914 it set an altitude record of 4,500 m (14,765 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.
Contents |
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications
[edit] General characteristics
- Crew: two, pilot & observer
- Length: 7.63 m (25 ft)
- Wingspan: 12.80 m (42 ft)
- Height: 3.15 m (10 ft 4 in)
- Wing area: m² ( ft²)
- Empty: kg ( lb)
- Loaded: 1,071 kg (2,361 lb)
- Maximum takeoff: kg ( lb)
- Powerplant: 1x Mercedes D.II 6-cylinder liquid-cooled inline engine, 75 kW (100 hp)
[edit] Performance
- Maximum speed: 105 km/h (66 mph)
- Range: endurance of 4 hours
- Service ceiling: 3,000 m (9,840 ft)
- Rate of climb: m/min ( ft/min)
- Wing loading: kg/m² ( lb/ft²)
- Power/Mass: kW/kg ( hp/lb)
[edit] Related content
Related development: Albatros B.I - Albatros B.III - Albatros C.III - Lebed XI - Lebed XII
Comparable aircraft: Hansa-Brandenburg B.I -
Designation sequence: B.I - B.II - B.III -
| Aviation in World War I |
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| Aces | Aircraft of the Entente Powers | Aircraft of the Central Powers | Zeppelins | Category: World War I Aircraft |
