The Albatros Al 102 (L102) and Focke-Wulf Fw 55W were German trainer aircraft manufactured during the 1930s.
These aircraft featured a parasol wing configuration and had separate, open cockpits for the student pilot and instructor.
Additionally, a biplane floatplane variant known as the Al 102W was produced, which had lower wings braced with struts.
Notably, the Al 102 series was one of the final aircraft produced by Albatros before its merger with Focke Wulf Flugzeugbau.
Variants
L102L
The landplane version has a tailwheel undercarriage and a parasol monoplane wing.
L102W
Two examples were built as biplane floatplanes, one of which was designated as the Focke-Wulf Fw 55W.
Al 102L
RLM designation for the L102L landplane.
Al 102W
RLM designation for the L102W floatplane
Specifications
Crew
Two
Length
8.8 m (28 ft 10 in)
L102W
9.4 m (31 ft)
Wingspan
13.3 m (43 ft 8 in)
Height
3.1 m (10 ft 2 in)
Wing area
22.2 m2 (239 sq ft) monoplane
Al 102W
31.40 m2 (338 sq ft) (sequiplane)
Aspect ratio
7.97
Empty weight
780 kg (1,720 lb)
L102W
965 kg (2,127 lb)
Gross weight
1,200 kg (2,646 lb)
L102W
1,350 kg (2,976 lb)
Fuel capacity
160 kg (353 lb) + Oil 20 kg (44 lb)
L102W
158 kg (348 lb) + Oil 10 kg (22 lb)
Powerplant
1 × Argus As 10C, inverted V-8,
Air cooled piston engine,
177 kW (237 hp)
Performance
Maximum speed
210 km/h (130 mph, 110 kn) at sea level
L102W
185 km/h (115 mph; 100 kn) at sea level
Cruise speed
195 km/h (121 mph, 105 kn) at sea level
L102W
180 km/h (112 mph; 97 kn) at sea level
Range
680 km (420 mi, 370 nmi)
L102W
585 km (364 mi; 316 nmi)
Endurance
3.5 hours
L102W
3.25 hours
Service ceiling
5,000 m (16,000 ft)
L102W
4,500 m (14,764 ft)
Rate of climb
4.9 m/s (960 ft/min)
L102W
3.1 m/s (610.2 ft/min)
Wing loading
54.05 kg/m2 (11.07 lb/sq ft)
L102W
42.99 kg/m2 (8.8 lb/ft2).
Sources German & Austro-Hungarian aircraft manufacturers 1908–1918-T C Treadwell. German Aircraft of the First World War-Peter Gray & Owen Thetford. Flugzeug Publications, Die Deutsche Luftwaffe 1914 – Heute. The World’s Great Bombers: 1914 to the Present Day-C Chant. Windsock Worldwide Vol.25, No.5 – September October 2009. Albatros Aircraft of WWI Vol.1: Early Two-Seaters-Jack Herris. Albatros Aircraft of WWI Vol.2: Late Two-Seaters-Jack Herris. Albatros Aircraft of WWI Vol.3: Bombers, Seaplanes J Types-Jack Herris. Albatros Aircraft of WWI Vol.4: Fighters-Jack Herris.
