Friedrichshafen FF.41

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FF.41
Type Reconnaissance
Manufacturer Friedrichshafen Flugzeugbau
Maiden flight 1917
Primary users German Air Force
Finnish Air Force
Estonian Air Force
Number built 9

Friedrichshafen FF.41 was a rather large, German, three-seated, twin-engined amphibious reconnaissance aircraft designed by Friedrichshafen Flugzeugbau in 1917.

The aircraft was mainly used as a reconnaissance aircraft, but also as a bomber and as a mine-laying aircraft. A torpedo carrying version, the FF.41AT, was also developed. It had a modified fuselage and a single vertical fin (in comparison to the basic model's three). Only five FF.41AT aircraft were made.

It seems like only nine FF.41s were manufactured.

Contents

[edit] Operators

[edit] Use in Finland

The Finnish Air Force purchased one FF.41AT aircraft from the Germans in Estonia on November 26, 1918. It was flown to Sortavala where it was repaired. In 1922, the torpedo carrying fuselage was changed and the capability to carry torpedoes were removed. It was in use between 1918-23.

[edit] Specifications (FF.41)

Data from Thulinista Hornetiin

General characteristics

  • Crew: 3
  • Length: 13.70 m (ft in)
  • Wingspan: 21.96 m (ft in)
  • Height: 4.65 m (ft in)
  • Wing area: 112.5 m² (ft²)
  • Empty weight: kg (lb)
  • Loaded weight: kg (lb)
  • Useful load: kg (kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 3,670 kg (lb)
  • Powerplant: 2× Benz III 6-cylinder, water-cooled inline, kW (150 hp) each

Performance

Armament

1x MG
bombs
1x 700 kg torpedo

[edit] Sources

  • Timo Heinonen (1992). Thulinista Hornetiin - 75 vuotta Suomen ilmavoimien lentokoneita. Tikkakoski: Keski-Suomen ilmailumuseo. ISBN 9519568824. 
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