Hansa-Brandenburg B.I

Hansa-Brandenburg · Germany · first flew 1914 · transport aircraft

The Hansa-Brandenburg B.I was a World War I German two-seat unarmed reconnaissance and training biplane, part of the 'B-type' category of unarmed two-seaters. It was designed by Ernst Heinkel during his tenure at the Hansa und Brandenburgische Flugzeugwerke.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	8.46 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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WWI German two-seat unarmed reconnaissance biplane
B-type (unarmed) classification in German WWI system means observer in front, pilot behind
Designed by Ernst Heinkel while at Hansa-Brandenburg

A conventional unarmed two-seat biplane with an inline engine, observer in the front cockpit ahead of the pilot, and standard wire-braced biplane structure of the early WWI period.

Specifications

The Hansa-Brandenburg B.I has a length of 8.46 m (28 ft).
It has a wingspan of 13.13 m (43 ft).
Its maximum speed is 125 km/h (78 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Entering service in 1914, the B.I served the Austro-Hungarian and German air services as an unarmed observation and training aircraft in the early part of the war. It was replaced by more capable armed C-type aircraft as the war progressed and the need for defensive armament became clear.

Variants

The B.I was part of the early Brandenburg series; subsequent types moved to C-category armed two-seaters. Austro-Hungary used Brandenburg types extensively.

Where you'll see it

Used by the Austro-Hungarian k.u.k. Luftfahrtruppen and in small numbers by the German Luftstreitkräfte for reconnaissance and training in 1914–16.

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