Albatros B.II
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| B.II | |
|---|---|
 Albatros B.II in exhibition in Polish Aviation Museum |
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| Type | Reconnaissance aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Albatros Flugzeugwerke |
| Maiden flight | 1914 |
| Primary users | Germany Sweden Finland |
The Albatros B.II was an unarmed German two-seat reconnaissance biplane of the First World War.
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[edit] 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 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Service in Sweden
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 five different aircraft companies: Svenska Aeroplanfabriken (SAF), Södertelge Werkstäder (SW), Marinens Flygväsende (MFV), Nordiska Aviatikbolaget (NAB) 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). The type was being used until 1935. One aircraft was later sold to Finland.
[edit] 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.
| 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 |
[edit] Operators
- Finnish Air Force operated 5 aircraft postwar.
- Lithuanian Air Force operated this type postwar.
- Polish Air Force operated this type postwar.
- Swedish Air Force operated 47 aircraft postwar.
[edit] Specifications (B.II)
This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them.General characteristics
- Crew: two, pilot and observer
- Length: 7.63 m (25 ft 0 in)
- Wingspan: 12.80 m (42 ft 0 in)
- Height: 3.15 m (10 ft 4 in)
- Wing area: 43 m² (463 ft²)
- Loaded weight: 1,071 kg (2,361 lb)
- Powerplant: 1× Mercedes D.II 6-cylinder liquid-cooled inline engine, 75 kW (100 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 105 km/h (57 knots, 66 mph)
- Service ceiling 3,000 m (9,840 ft)
[edit] References
[edit] See also
Related development Albatros B.I - Albatros B.III - Albatros C.III - Lebed XI - Lebed XII
Comparable aircraft Hansa-Brandenburg B.I
Related lists
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