The AEG B, also known as the Z.3, was a multi-purpose aircraft developed by the AEG Department of Aircraft Construction in Hennigsdorf near Berlin in 1913.
The aircraft was later assigned the military designation AEG B.I by the Inspectorate of the Air Force and served as a two-seater unarmed training and reconnaissance aircraft for the German Air Force in 1914 and at the beginning of the First World War.
The AEG Z6, which had a civilian factory designation, was used as the basis for the B-aircraft.
The AEG B.I was eventually replaced by the AEG B.II (Z9) at the end of 1914, and later by the AEG B.III (Z10).
The B.I was then used solely as a training aircraft.
The AEG B series aircraft were designed as three-stick biplanes with in-line engines.
The superstructure was primarily made of welded tubular steel, while the wings were covered in fabric and consisted of two tubular steel spars with wooden frames in between.
The aircraft also had a nose wheel to prevent rollovers or headstands during unsuccessful landings.
However, the placement of the engine and the two large radiators on each side of the fuselage limited the aircraft’s aerodynamics.
B.II
The AEG B.II, which was introduced in late 1914, served as an unarmed reconnaissance aircraft and was the direct successor to the AEG B.I.
Unlike its predecessor, the B.II featured a two-stick configuration as opposed to the previous three-stemmed design.
This biplane was equipped with a Mercedes D.II in-line engine and its structure consisted of a wooden and tubular steel frame covered with canvas.
Despite being intended as an improved version of the B.I, the AEG B.II still retained some significant weaknesses.
The installation of the engine remained cumbersome, and the aerodynamically unfavourable radiators were not addressed.
Consequently, the aircraft saw limited usage within the Luftwaffe between 1914 and 1915.
Its subpar speed and lack of protective armour led to its eventual decommissioning.
The AEG B.II was eventually succeeded by the AEG B.III, marking the next iteration in the series of AEG reconnaissance aircraft.
B.III
The General Electricity Company, Department of Aircraft Construction, Hennigsdorf, developed the AEG B.III as their final unarmed reconnaissance aircraft.
This two-seater aircraft also served as a training plane.
Powered by a Mercedes D.II in-line engine, the B.III was a biplane with two control sticks.
Although it bore some similarities to its predecessor, the AEG B.II, the B.III was considered to have a slightly inferior design.
Following the AEG B.III, the C.I. was introduced as its successor.
