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.
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.
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.
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)