DFW B.I
| B.I and B.II | |
|---|---|
| |
| Left side view of DFW B.I Tannenberg, one of a small number of "named" DFW B.I aircraft in World War I | |
| Role | Reconnaissance / Army co-operation |
| Manufacturer | Deutsche Flugzeugwerke |
| Designer | Walter Oelerich |
| Introduction | 1914 |
| Retired | 1915 |
| Primary user | Fliegertruppe |
The DFW B.I (factory designation MD 14), was one of the earliest German aircraft to see service during World War I, and one of the numerous "B-class" unarmed, two-seat observation biplanes of the German military in 1914, but with a distinctive appearance that easily separated it from any other aircraft of its class.[1] Though a biplane, its birdlike upper wing was inspired by that of the earlier Rumpler Taube monoplane, and led to the DFW aircraft being named the Fliegende Banane ("Flying Banana") by its pilots. It was also one of the few single engined, "three-bay" interwing strut design, single-engined biplanes (like the original design of the Albatros B.I) to see service in World War I.
The B.II was generally similar, but was intended principally as a trainer aircraft. Some of these machines were fitted with the more powerful Mercedes D.II engine.
Specifications (DFW B.I)
Data from German Aircraft of the first World War[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 8.4 m (27 ft 7 in)
- Wingspan: 14 m (45 ft 11 in)
- Height: 3 m (9 ft 10 in)
- Wing area: 40 m2 (430 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 650 kg (1,433 lb)
- Gross weight: 1,015 kg (2,238 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.I 6-cyl. water-cooled in-line piston engine, 75 kW (100 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 120 km/h (75 mph, 65 kn)
- Range: 600 km (370 mi, 320 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 3,000 m (9,800 ft)
See also
Related lists
References
- ^ Wagner, Ray and Nowarra, Heinz. German Combat Planes: A Comprehensive Survey and History of the Development of German Military Aircraft from 1914 to 1945. New York: Doubleday, 1971.
- ^ Gray, Peter; Owen Thetford (1970). German Aircraft of the first World War (2nd ed.). London: Putnam & Company Ltd.
External links
