Friedrichshafen FF.44
Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen · Germany · first flew 1917 · reconnaissance aircraft
The FF.44 was an experimental two-seat maritime reconnaissance floatplane built for the Imperial German Navy. It was completed in 1917.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 10.85 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Two-bay staggered biplane with a large semi-circular cutout in the upper wing
- Nose engine protruding from the top of a streamlined nose, driving a spinnered two-bladed propeller
- Radiator suspended from the leading edge of the upper wing, and two floats braced by many struts
Unlike most Friedrichshafen designs it had no fixed vertical stabiliser and used a balanced rudder. The pilot sat ahead of the observer.
Specifications
- The Friedrichshafen FF.44 has a length of 10.85 m (36 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 18.4 m (60 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 145 km/h (90 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was built to test the Maybach Mb.IV engine with a reduction gear in a tractor layout, following the pusher FF.34. It was delivered to the Navy's Seaplane Experimental Command on 24 October 1917.
Variants
Only one FF.44 was built. It was developed from the FF.34, although sources differ on how much of that aircraft it reused.
Where you'll see it
The aircraft did not show the expected performance improvement and the programme was cancelled on 31 March 1918. It was armed with one 7.92 mm Parabellum MG14 for the observer.
Related aircraft
- Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen FF.49
- Friedrichshafen D.I
- Friedrichshafen FF.48
- Friedrichshafen G.III
- AEG C.VII
- AEG C.VIII
- Albatros C.IX
- Albatros C.X
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