DFW B.I
Deutsche Flugzeug-Werke · Germany · first flew 1914 · light aircraft
The DFW B.I was an early World War I German two-seat unarmed reconnaissance biplane produced by Deutsche Flugzeug-Werke, belonging to the initial generation of B-class (unarmed) aircraft used by the German Imperial Air Service at the war's outbreak. It served in the observation and communication roles before armed types became standard.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.4 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Early WWI German unarmed two-seat reconnaissance biplane
- Tractor propeller with pusher or tractor inline engine
- Open tandem cockpits with strut-braced equal biplane wings
A typical early WWI German two-seat tractor biplane with equal-span wings, open cockpits, and no armament; similar in appearance to Albatros and Aviatik B-class types of the same era.
Specifications
- The DFW B.I has a length of 8.4 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14 m (46 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 120 km/h (75 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The DFW B.I entered service with the German Imperial Air Service in 1914 at the outbreak of World War I and was used in the early stages for reconnaissance, a role it shared with many similar unarmed types from other manufacturers. It was rapidly supplemented and then replaced by more capable armed C-class aircraft.
Variants
The B-class included multiple manufacturers' designs; DFW also produced the B.II and subsequent armed C-class aircraft.
Where you'll see it
Served briefly with the German Imperial Air Service from 1914 into 1915 before being retired to training duties.
Related aircraft
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