purpose or function of the aircraft
With a distinctive large spinner, the Morane-Saulnier N looks, at least to the modern eye, better than the Parasol Type L, it met with much less success.
While the Type N was a graceful-looking aircraft, with an advanced, aerodynamic design, it was not easy to fly due to its stiff controls (using wing warping instead [...]
The B.II, a two-seater reconnaissance plane, was the first airplane that established Albatros’ reputation, and was the forerunner of many successfaul craft from that manufacturer. Designed by Ernst Heinkel, it set an altitude record of 14,765 feet early in its career. It was produced in large numbers in the first half of the war.
The seating [...]
The A.E.G. B.II only saw service in the early months of the war, after which more modern types replaced it. It’s follow-on version, the A.E.G. C series was produced in larger numbers in 1915 and 1916, and served throughout the war.
Top Speed: n.a.
Manufacturer: A.E.G.
Year: 1914
Engine: 120 h.p.
Wingspan: 42 feet 7 inches
Weight: [...]
The Aviatik B. II was a reconnaissance aircraft widely used by the Germans and Austrians before 1916. Built by the Oesterreichische-Ungarische Flugzeugfabrik of Vienna, it developed from the Aviatik B.I produced by the German company Automobil Aviatik und Leipzig between 1914 and 1915.
The Austrian B.II (Series 32) produced in small numbers in 1915 was powered [...]
Similar to the Sopwith Tabloid, the Martinsyde S.1 also served as an observation airplane in France. It only remained in service until summer of 1915; only 60 were built.
Top Speed: 84 m.p.h.
Manufacturer: Martinsyde
Year: 1914
Engine: 80 h.p. Gnome rotary
Wingspan: 21 feet
Weight: n.a.
Armament: none
Martinsyde was a short-lived British [...]
One of the most notable developments at the end of 1913 was the appearance of the Sopwith ‘Tabloid’ tractor biplane. This single-seater, fitted with an 80 horsepower Gnome rotary engine, had the remarkable speed (for those days) of 92 miles an hour. A still more notable feature was that it could remain in level flight [...]
This was the last of the B.E. (Bleriot Experimental, and then British Experimental) series built by the Royal Aircraft Factory. Compared to the B.E.2, it had a more powerful rotary engine, but otherwise was quite similar. It could only carry a 100 lb. (45 kg.) bombload, even less with a two-man crew. A few [...]
One of the fastest planes of its time, the Bristol M.1C monoplane fell victim to official concern about its stability and the perceived hazards of its high landing speed. There seemed to be an official distrust of monoplanes by the British authorities, and the M.1 was much-delayed. Finally some were sent to the [...]
An unusual-looking biplane with a reverse stagger of the wings, the upper being set back just aft of the cockpit, to allow better visibility for the pilot. The idea was to combine the superior performance of a tractor biplane with the unobstructured pilot’s forward view of a pusher type.
In May, 1917, No. 24 and No. [...]
For World War One, the Morane-Saulnier A-1 had very modern lines and was very streamlined; it resembles small airplanes that you can see today at any general aviation airport. 1,210 were produced, but it never made a big impact at the front. Not long after its introduction it was withdrawn to serve as trainers, as [...]