Aviatik B.II (Germany)

Note: Not to be confused with the Austro-Hungarian Aviatik B.II series 32, 32.7 and 34 which were different aircraft.[1]

B.II (German)
A German Aviatik B.II
Role Reconnaissance aircraft
Manufacturer Aviatik (Germany)
Designer Robert Wild
First flight 1915
Introduction 1915
Retired 1916
Primary user Luftstreitkräfte

The Aviatik B.II was a reconnaissance aircraft built in Germany during World War I.

Design and development

The (German) Aviatik B.II was a two-seat biplane of conventional configuration that seated its pilot and observer in tandem, open cockpits. Compared to its predecessor, the B.I, the B.II had a more powerful engine and revised nose design that faired the powerplant in more neatly, and a single "rhino horn" collector stack for the exhaust. A variety of two- and three-bay wing designs were utilised during production. While originally no armament was fitted (in common with other B- class aircraft), later production versions received a machine gun for the observer. All were withdrawn from front line service by early 1916, however the type continued in use as a trainer for a time with advanced flying training units (it is known that the B.II served in this role at FEA 9 at Darmstadt during 1916).[2]

Operators

 German Empire

Specifications

Data from [3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 7.1 m (23 ft 4 in)
  • Wingspan: 12.35 m (40 ft 6 in)
  • Height: 3.15 m (10 ft 4 in)
  • Gross weight: 1,071 kg (2,361 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.II 6-cylinder water-cooled in-line piston engine, 89 kW (120 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 100 km/h (62 mph, 54 kn)
  • Endurance: 4 hours
  • Service ceiling: 6,100 m (20,000 ft)

References

  1. Grosz, Peter M.; Haddow, George; Scheiner, Peter (2002) [1993]. Austro-Hungarian Army Aircraft of World War One. Boulder: Flying Machine Press. pp. 158–160. ISBN 1-891268-05-8.
  2. Cowin, H.W. (2000). German and Austrian aviation of World War I : a pictorial chronicle of the airmen and aircraft that forged German airpower (1st ed.). Oxford: Osprey Pub. ISBN 1-84176-069-2.
  3. Angelucci, Enzo (1983). The Rand McNally encyclopedia of military aircraft, 1914-1980. San Diego, California: The Military Press. p. 24. ISBN 0-517-41021-4.

Further reading

  • Taylor, Michael J. H., ed. (1989). Jane's encyclopedia of aviation. London: Portland House. ISBN 9780517691861.
  • World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing. p. File 889 Sheet 89.
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