Lebedev Lebed XII
Lebedev (DEKA) · Russia · first flew 1915 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Lebed XII was a Russian WWI reconnaissance biplane produced by the Lebedev factory in Petrograd, serving as one of Russia's domestically produced alternatives to imported French designs. It carried a pilot and observer-gunner for tactical reconnaissance.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.96 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Russian WWI two-seat reconnaissance biplane with tractor inline engine
- Wire-braced equal-span biplane wings with rounded tips
- Open tandem cockpits with observer's ring-gun position aft
The Lebed XII resembles imported French Nieuport and Caudron types of the period; its Russian-built quality and slightly heavier construction distinguish it to specialists.
Specifications
- The Lebedev Lebed XII has a length of 7.96 m (26 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.15 m (43 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 135 km/h (84 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Lebed XII was produced from 1915 and saw service with Imperial Russian Aviation during WWI, filling a gap left by the difficulty of importing aircraft from France and Britain. The Lebedev firm produced several variants of increasing capability through the war years.
Variants
The XII designation sits within a series of Lebed types; variants differed primarily in engine fit and minor structural changes.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Imperial Russian Air Service on the Eastern Front during WWI; production ended with the Russian Revolution.
Related aircraft
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