Albatros B.IIa

Albatros Flugzeugwerke · Germany · first flew 1913 · transport aircraft

The Albatros B.IIa was a German two-seat reconnaissance biplane used in the opening phase of World War I, an unarmed variant of the Albatros B.II family. It carried an observer in the front cockpit for visual reconnaissance duties.

Recognition (WEFT)

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

Spot it by:

• Two-bay biplane with wire bracing
• Observer in front cockpit, pilot behind
• Rounded wingtips and conventional undercarriage

A classic early-war German biplane with equal-span wings, wire-braced bays, rounded tail surfaces, and open tandem cockpits; lacks armament and features the observer seated ahead of the pilot.

Specifications

• The Albatros B.IIa has a length of 7.95 m (26 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 12.9 m (42 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 130 km/h (81 mph).
• Typical crew: 2.

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

History

Developed from the Albatros B.I before the war, the B.II and its sub-variants were among the most widely used German reconnaissance types in 1914–15. The B.IIa designation indicated a modified engine installation compared to the standard B.II.

Variants

The B class family included the B.I, B.II, and B.IIa; all were unarmed two-seaters differing mainly in powerplant and minor structural details.

Where you'll see it

Operated by the German Luftstreitkräfte and Austro-Hungarian aviation units for visual reconnaissance and artillery spotting in the early war years; replaced by armed C-class aircraft from 1915 onward.

Related aircraft

• Albatros B.II
• Albatros C.I
• Albatros W.1
• Albatros C.III
• Caudron G.3
• Aviatik B.I
• Friedrichshafen FF.29
• Gotha Taube LE-3

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.