AEG J.I

AEG · Germany · first flew 1917 · light aircraft

The AEG J.I was a German two-seat armoured infantry-contact and ground-attack biplane of World War I, one of the first purpose-built armoured attack aircraft. It was designed to operate at low altitude over the battlefield with crew and engine protected by steel armour plating.

Recognition (WEFT)

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

• WWI German armoured two-seat ground-attack biplane
• Steel and nickel-alloy armour protecting crew and engine bay
• Angular slab-sided fuselage reflecting internal armour plating

Biplane with notably robust, angular fuselage sides reflecting internal armour plating; the wider fuselage cross-section distinguishes it from typical WWI two-seaters, and a downward-firing gun position is visible beneath the rear cockpit.

Specifications

• The AEG J.I has a length of 7.2 m (24 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 13.46 m (44 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 150 km/h (93 mph).
• Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Developed by Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft (AEG), the J.I entered service on the Western Front in 1917. The concept of armouring a ground-attack aircraft was novel and the J.I proved reasonably effective in the trench-strafing role. It served alongside the Halberstadt CL.II in the Schlachtstaffeln.

Variants

The AEG J.II was a further development with improved armour and engine; small production numbers of both types were built.

Where you'll see it

Operated by the Imperial German Army Air Service on the Western Front from 1917 in trench-strafing and infantry-support missions.

Related aircraft

• AEG C.VII
• AEG C.VIII
• AEG D.I
• AEG C.IV
• Gotha WD 12
• Gotha WD 15
• Halberstadt C.III
• Junkers J 3

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.