Albatross B.II

The Albatros B.II is a two-seater biplane of recognition German of the First World War. Derived in 1914 from B.I by engineer Grohmann, it was especially used like plane of school.

Models

Albatross B.II: Carrying designation manufacturer Albatross L-2 , it was initially to enter in service like Albatros DD-2 and was distinguished from its predecessor especially by a reduced scale and the reversed provision of the observer, which was from now on behind the pilot. Brought into service in 1914 and replaced in 1915 by the armed two-seaters Albatross C.I, this apparatus continued to be useful in the schools until the end of the war. Initially equip with one 6 cylinders in line Mercedes D I, this apparatus also received an engine D II of 120 ch or Benz Bz II of 110 ch and was built under license by O.A.W. for the needs for Austro-Hungarian aviation.

B.IIa Albatross: In 1917 appeared a new version, destiny specifically at the schools of the Idflieg. The aerofoil is slightly increased, the reinforced structure, the cooling of the modified engine and the aircraft equipped in dual control. Equip with a Mercedes D II of 120 ch or of a Argus As II of 120 ch, more rarely of a Mercedes D I of 100 ch, this model carries designation manufacturer Albatros L.30.

B.IIw Albatross: Version with floats, some specimens only.

Albatross B.III : Evolution of B.II to engine Mercedes D II, appeared in 1915 and produced in small series, it is the first apparatus Albatros to receive the drift which was going to become characteristic of the planes of the firm. Initially indicated LDD in Austria - Hungary, designation manufacturer being Albatross L-5 .

Albatross L.30 : It is under this designation that about thirty biplanes will pass on the German civil register in the years 1920, used by Sportflug GMBH then Deutsche Luftfahrt GMBH to ensure the training of experienced or initial pilots.

Also built in Sweden

During the summer 1914 the pilot Lothar Wieland carried out a round of presentation of B.II in the Baltic States and Scandinavian. July 26th, whereas it went Malmen to Stockholm, in Sweden, Wieland carried out a landing of fortune on a muddy ground and hooded. This apparatus was thus transferred at Svenska Aeroplanfabriken (SAF) for repair. But the declaration of war forced the German pilot to regain the Germany without its plane, which was bought later on by the Sweden. Lars Fjällbäck benefitted from it to establish detailed plans of the apparatus, and 42 Albatros B.II were built in Sweden by 3 manufacturers under various names:

Svenska Aeroplanfabriken SAF 3: First model, produced in 1915 with an engine Mercedes of 100 ch.
Södertelge Verkstäder SW 12: Second model, 8 apparatuses built into 1915/16, always with an engine Mercedes of 100 ch.
Södertelge Verkstäder SW 20: New version with engine Scania - Vabis of 110 ch, 4 planes built into 1916/17.
Nordiska Aviatikbolaget NAB-9 : Similar to the precedent, even motorization and built of 1916 to 1918.

Used initially as reconnaissance aircraft, the Albatros Swedish were thereafter rebuilt like planes of school in dual control system by the military aeronautical workshops FVM. What gave two new versions:

Albatross 120: an engine Mercedes of 120 ch
Albatross 160: an engine Mercedes of 160 ch.

Users

Germany: The Luftstreitkräfte used Albatross B.II like reconnaissance aircraft until 1915, then like plane of school until 1928.
Finland: 5 apparatuses built in Sweden were sold with the Finland (2 NAB-9, 2 SW 12 and 1 SW 20) and were delivered between February and April 1918. 3 were lost the first year, the two reformed last in April 1923. These apparatuses thus count among the all-first Finnish planes.
Latvia: In 1920 the School of Latvian Aviation was created with some on the spot abandoned Albatros B.II by the German troops.
Poland: Poland used 24 B.II and B.IIa like planes of school to the beginning of the year 20.
Sweden: In addition to the apparatuses built in Sweden and used by the Flygkompaniet , the Swedish navy bought 5 Albatros B.II of occasion in Germany between 1919 and 1922. These engine apparatuses Mercedes 120 ch were assigned to the school of aviation of Hägernäs, but the navy not having access to the terrestrial bases, the Albatros were used only the winter, with skis, takeoffs and landings being carried out on the ice!

With its creation in 1926 the Flygvapnet inherited the Albatros , including three specimens of German origin of the navy, and preserved 17 of them: 8 planes of drive of beginning (120 ch) which were indicated Sk 1 , and 9 planes of advanced drive (160 ch) which were indicated Ö 2 . The last Ö 2 was reformed in 1935.

Two Albatross B.II with the museum

a Albatros 120 rebuilds in 1929 by FVM is preserved today at the Museum of the Swedish Air force.
Builds in 1919, W/nr 10019 was still used in 1929 by Flughof GmnH with Berlin. Sold to a private individual and remotorized with an engine Daimler in May 1930, it was bought by the DLV e.V in 1934 and lost its civil registration to become and integrate the collections of the Museum of the Aviation of Berlin. Belonging to the planes evacuated towards the Poland to avoid the capture at the end of the war, it was recovered in Czarnkow in March 1945 by the Polish troops. Restored into 1985/86 by the Museum für Verkehr und Technik of Berlin and exposed temporarily by this institution, it since found the place which returns to him to the Museum of the Aviation of Cracow.

External bonds

the Swedish Albatross

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