DFW B.I

File:DFW Weddingen.jpg

Crashed DFW B.I "Weddingen" showing shape of wings

The DFW B.I (factory designation MD14) was a biplane reconnaissance aircraft and trainer built by the (DFW) during the First World War for the Imperial German Army's () Imperial German Air Service (). It first flew before the start of the war in August 1914 and was still in service as a trainer in 1918.

Development

DFW designed the B.I as an unarmed, two-seat observation biplane for the Imperial Air Service in 1914, with its fuselage built from steel tubing and three-bay wing from wire-braced wood, both covered in doped fabric. The aircraft had a distinctive appearance that differentiated it from its contemporaries as the leading edge of its wings curved to the junction with the trailing edge. Its shape was inspired by that of the earlier Rumpler Taube monoplane, and led to the DFW aircraft being named the "Flying Banana" () by its pilots. The observer's cockpit was located beneath the upper wing while the pilot's was behind the wing's trailing edge. The aircraft flew a variety of water-cooled engines, although the Mercedes D.I straight-six engine was commonly used. Some B.Is were fitted with the more powerful Mercedes D.II or Benz Bz.III engines. Its radiators were located on the sides of the fuselage and its cylindrical fuel tank was positioned above the upper wing.

The B.II was similar but had a more conventionally shaped two-bay wing with a straight leading edge. It mostly served as a trainer through the end of the war.

See also

Related lists

• List of military aircraft of Germany