Albatros W.3
Albatros · German Empire · first flew 1916 · fighter
The Albatros W.3 was a German World War I floatplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraft, developed for the Imperial German Navy. It was a two-seat biplane adapted for water operations over the North Sea and Baltic.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 13.1 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- WWI German floatplane fighter biplane
- Large twin-float undercarriage
- Naval patrol and fighter role
Identified by its large biplane wings, twin pontoon floats, and the relatively bulky fuselage accommodating a two-man crew for naval patrol duties.
Specifications
- The Albatros W.3 has a length of 13.1 m (43 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 22.7 m (74 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 133 km/h (83 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Introduced in 1916, the W.3 served with the Imperial German Navy for coastal patrol and fighter duties over maritime areas. It featured twin floats in place of a conventional wheeled undercarriage, allowing operation from calm coastal waters. Though not as numerous as land-based fighters, floatplane types like the W.3 played an important role in German naval aviation.
Variants
The W.4 was a single-seat floatplane development; the W.5 shared the same basic dimensions as the W.3.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Imperial German Naval Air Service over the North Sea and Baltic Sea from 1916 until the end of World War I.
Related aircraft
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