Albatros J.II
Albatros Flugzeugwerke · Germany · first flew 1917 · fighter
The Albatros J.II was a German World War One two-seat armoured biplane developed for close air support and infantry contact patrol missions. It carried substantial armour plating to protect the crew and engine during low-level operations over the trenches.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.68 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- German WWI armoured two-seat infantry support biplane
- Heavy armour protection for low-level ground attack
- Downward-firing gun for trench strafing
Distinguished from standard Albatros fighters by the heavily armoured fuselage sides, the absence of a streamlined nose cowling, and the two-seat tandem cockpit arrangement.
Specifications
- The Albatros J.II has a length of 8.68 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.69 m (38 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 140 km/h (87 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Entering service in 1917, the J.II was the follow-on to the J.I and was used extensively on the Western and Eastern fronts for infantry liaison and ground attack. Its armour made it slow but survivable at low altitude.
Variants
The J.I was the precursor; the J.II introduced revised armour layout and a different engine. Both variants used a downward-angled gun installation for strafing troops.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the German Luftstreitkräfte in the ground attack and infantry contact role during 1917–1918.
Related aircraft
- Albatros C.IX
- Albatros C.VIII
- Albatros C.X
- Albatros C.XIII
- AEG D.I
- Albatros D.IX
- Albatros Dr.I
- Albatros W.5
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