Lohner B.I
Jakob Lohner & Co. · Austria–Hungary · first flew 1914 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Lohner B.I was an early Austro-Hungarian two-seat reconnaissance biplane that served at the outbreak of the First World War, belonging to the 'B' category of unarmed two-seaters in the Austro-Hungarian military aviation system. Manufacturer Jakob Lohner & Co. was better known for its subsequent flying boat designs.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Austro-Hungarian military markings on fabric-covered fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Equal-span biplane with wire-braced cellule and tractor inline engine
- Two-seat open cockpit with observer in the front bay
- Austro-Hungarian military markings on fabric-covered fuselage
The equal-span wire-braced biplane cellule with tractor inline engine and a separate observer cockpit forward of the pilot distinguishes WWI B-category Austro-Hungarian types from the later armed C-category two-seaters.
Specifications
- The Lohner B.I has a length of 8.5 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.4 m (44 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 115 km/h (71 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Lohner had been building aircraft since 1909 and the B.I entered service with the Imperial and Royal Aviation Troops (k.u.k. Luftfahrtruppen) in 1914. It was used for early photographic and visual reconnaissance missions on the Eastern and Italian fronts before being superseded by more capable types.
Variants
Several sub-variants differed in engine fit, with Austro-Daimler inline units of 85 to 120 hp used across the production run.
Where you'll see it
Operated briefly by the Austro-Hungarian air arm before replacement by more capable two-seaters; the Lohner company's subsequent focus on flying boats proved more enduring.
Related aircraft
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