The Albatros B.I, also known as the L.1, was an aircraft used by the German military for reconnaissance purposes during World War I.
This two-seat biplane followed a conventional layout, with the observer and pilot occupying separate cockpits arranged in tandem.
Initially, the wings were designed with three bays, but they were later modified to a two bay, unstaggered configuration.
Additionally, a floatplane variant called the Albatros W.I was developed.
By 1915, the B.I aircraft were no longer in active frontline service, although some were repurposed as trainers for the duration of the war.
Variants
B.I
Aircraft manufactured in Germany for the Luftstreitkräfte.
Phönix 20.01
The maiden prototype for Austrian production.
Phönix 20.02
Austrian production’s second prototype.
B.I(Ph) series 21
Manufactured by Phönix Flugzeug-Werke AG Vienna.
B.I(Ph) series 24
Manufactured by Phönix Flugzeug-Werke AG Vienna.
B.I(Ph) series 25
Manufactured by Phönix Flugzeug-Werke AG Vienna.
Specifications
Crew
2
Length
8.57 m (28 ft 1 in)
Wingspan
14.48 m (47 ft 6 in)
Height
3.15 m (10 ft 4 in)
Empty weight
747 kg (1,647 lb)
Gross weight
1,080 kg (2,381 lb)
Powerplant
1 × Mercedes D.I,
6-cylinder water cooled inline piston engine,
75 kW (100 hp)
Propellers
2 bladed fixed pitch wooden propeller
Performance
Maximum speed
105 km/h (65 mph, 57 kn)
Range
650 km (400 mi, 350 nmi)
Endurance
Ca 4 hours
Time to altitude
800 m (2,625 ft) in 10 minutes.
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.
