Albatros W.1
Albatros Flugzeugwerke · Germany · first flew 1915 · fighter
The Albatros W.1 was a German single-seat fighter floatplane of World War I, adapted from land-based Albatros fighter designs to operate from coastal waters in defence of German harbours and fleet anchorages.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.5 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- WWI German single-float biplane fighter seaplane
- Tractor Mercedes inline engine
- Albatros biplane layout adapted for floatplane operation
A single-bay biplane seaplane with a single large central float and two small wingtip floats, tractor inline engine, and a streamlined fuselage typical of Albatros construction; the staggered, equal-span wings are slightly swept at the leading edge.
Specifications
- The Albatros W.1 has a length of 8.5 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.8 m (35 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 160 km/h (99 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Germany developed a range of floatplane fighters during WWI to patrol the Heligoland Bight and other coastal areas, and the W.1 was among the earliest dedicated fighter seaplanes produced by Albatros. Built in small numbers, it proved that fighter-grade performance was achievable on floats but was soon superseded by improved designs as the war progressed.
Variants
The W.1 was followed by progressive Albatros floatplane fighter designs; it was essentially an adaptation of the land-based Albatros D-series philosophy applied to seaplane operation.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Imperial German Navy in small numbers from 1915–1916 over the North Sea and Baltic; it was withdrawn as more capable floatplane fighters entered service.
Related aircraft
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