Hansa-Brandenburg W.12

Hansa-Brandenburg · Germany · first flew 1917 · fighter

The Hansa-Brandenburg W.12 was a German two-seat biplane seaplane fighter developed in 1916–17 to provide armed escort and patrol over the North Sea and Heligoland Bight.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	9.6 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

German WWI two-seat seaplane fighter-scout
Distinctive biplane floatplane with unequal spans
Rear gunner provided aft defence; forward-firing fixed gun for pilot

Two-bay biplane floatplane with a broad, rounded nose housing a water-cooled inline engine, two main floats, and a distinctive angular fin; the rear observer's cockpit is positioned well aft for a wide field of fire.

Specifications

The Hansa-Brandenburg W.12 has a length of 9.6 m (31 ft).
It has a wingspan of 11.2 m (37 ft).
Its maximum speed is 160 km/h (99 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

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

History

Designed by Ernst Heinkel for Hansa-Brandenburg, the W.12 entered Imperial German Naval Air Service use in early 1917. It proved effective against British flying boats and coastal patrol aircraft over the North Sea, with crews claiming numerous victories. About 145 were built.

Variants

W.12 initial production; improved W.12 with Mercedes D.III or Benz Bz.III engine options; the related W.19 was a larger development.

Where you'll see it

Operated by the Imperial German Naval Air Service (Marine-Flieger) from North Sea coastal stations; saw action against RNAS patrol aircraft over the Heligoland Bight.

Related aircraft

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