The Friedrichshafen FF.1 was a German experimental floatplane built in 1912. It was the first aircraft designed and built by the newly established Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen. Only one prototype was constructed and it set a German national record for endurance in 1913[1] before crashing in early 1914.
Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen was founded after Theodor Kober had purchased a Curtiss A-2floatplane to test the hydrodynamic performance of its central float in 1912. Dissatisfied with its performance in rough water, he designed the FF.1 with a float of his own design that he believed would have better performance. It first flew on 2 November although towed testing of various float shapes continued into January 1913.[2]
The aircraft was a two-seat biplane with a 100 PS (74 kW) Argus As Istraight-four engine in pusher configuration mounted at the rear of the fuselage. The engine's radiators were mounted on the sides of the fuselage. The span of the upper and lower wings was initially 14 m (45 ft 11 in) and 10 m (32 ft 10 in) respectively, but these were later extended to 16.8 m (55 ft 1 in) and 14 meters respectively. The ailerons were fitted between the wings. A pair of wheels could be attached to the airplane to allow it to maneuver on the ground.[3]
History
During one flight in bad weather, the engine failed and the FF.1 was forced to land on Lake Constance. Despite high waves and a heavy snowfall, the aircraft drifted for 2½ hours before it was recovered; it did not require any repairs to the airframe or floats afterwards. Piloted by the company's test pilot, Robert Gsell [de], on 14 February 1913, the FF.1 set a German national flight endurance record of 2 hours, 32 minutes, and 30 seconds.[4] The floatplane was destroyed in a crash in February 1914.[1]
Specifications (variant specified)
Data from Friedrichshafen Aircraft of WWI: A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes;[1] Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen GmbH: Diplom-Ingenieur Theodor Kober[5]
Borzutzki, Siegfried (1993). Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen GmbH: Diplom-Ingenieur Theodor Kober [Friedrichshafen Aircraft Company: Diploma-Engineer Theodore Kober] (in German). Berlin: Burbach. ISBN3-927513-60-1.
Herris, Jack (2016). Friedrichshafen Aircraft of WWI: A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes. Great War Aviation Centennial Series. Vol. 21. Charleston, South Carolina: Aeronaut Books. ISBN978-1-935881-35-3.
Further reading
Bleibler, Jürgen (August 2012). "100 Jahr Wasserflug am Bodensee" [100 Years of Seaplanes on Lake Constance]. Klassiker der Luftfahrt: 56–59. ISSN 1860-0654.
April 26, 2023
friedrichshafen, german, experimental, floatplane, built, 1912, first, aircraft, designed, built, newly, established, flugzeugbau, friedrichshafen, only, prototype, constructed, german, national, record, endurance, 1913, before, crashing, early, 1914, oblique,. The Friedrichshafen FF 1 was a German experimental floatplane built in 1912 It was the first aircraft designed and built by the newly established Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen Only one prototype was constructed and it set a German national record for endurance in 1913 1 before crashing in early 1914 An oblique photograph of the FF 1Role PrototypeNational origin German EmpireManufacturer Flugzeugbau FriedrichshafenFirst flight 2 November 1912Number built 1Developed into Friedrichshfen FF 9 Contents 1 Development and description 2 History 3 Specifications variant specified 4 References 5 Bibliography 6 Further readingDevelopment and description EditFlugzeugbau Friedrichshafen was founded after Theodor Kober had purchased a Curtiss A 2 floatplane to test the hydrodynamic performance of its central float in 1912 Dissatisfied with its performance in rough water he designed the FF 1 with a float of his own design that he believed would have better performance It first flew on 2 November although towed testing of various float shapes continued into January 1913 2 The aircraft was a two seat biplane with a 100 PS 74 kW Argus As I straight four engine in pusher configuration mounted at the rear of the fuselage The engine s radiators were mounted on the sides of the fuselage The span of the upper and lower wings was initially 14 m 45 ft 11 in and 10 m 32 ft 10 in respectively but these were later extended to 16 8 m 55 ft 1 in and 14 meters respectively The ailerons were fitted between the wings A pair of wheels could be attached to the airplane to allow it to maneuver on the ground 3 History EditDuring one flight in bad weather the engine failed and the FF 1 was forced to land on Lake Constance Despite high waves and a heavy snowfall the aircraft drifted for 2 hours before it was recovered it did not require any repairs to the airframe or floats afterwards Piloted by the company s test pilot Robert Gsell de on 14 February 1913 the FF 1 set a German national flight endurance record of 2 hours 32 minutes and 30 seconds 4 The floatplane was destroyed in a crash in February 1914 1 Specifications variant specified EditData from Friedrichshafen Aircraft of WWI A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 1 Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen GmbH Diplom Ingenieur Theodor Kober 5 General characteristicsCrew 2 Length 11 15 m 36 ft 7 in Upper wingspan 14 m 45 ft 11 in Lower wingspan 10 m 32 ft 10 in Height 3 35 m 11 ft 0 in Wing area 48 m2 520 sq ft Empty weight 972 kg 2 143 lb Gross weight 1 672 kg 3 686 lb Powerplant 1 Argus As I water cooled straight four engine 75 kW 100 hp Originally measured as 100 PS 74 kW Propellers 2 bladed pusher propellerPerformance Maximum speed 85 km h 53 mph 46 kn Time to altitude 560 m 1 840 ft in 8 minutesReferences Edit a b c Herris p 12 Borzutzki p 24 Herris pp 12 13 Borzutzki pp 25 82 Borzutzki p 82Bibliography EditBorzutzki Siegfried 1993 Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen GmbH Diplom Ingenieur Theodor Kober Friedrichshafen Aircraft Company Diploma Engineer Theodore Kober in German Berlin Burbach ISBN 3 927513 60 1 Herris Jack 2016 Friedrichshafen Aircraft of WWI A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes Great War Aviation Centennial Series Vol 21 Charleston South Carolina Aeronaut Books ISBN 978 1 935881 35 3 Further reading EditBleibler Jurgen August 2012 100 Jahr Wasserflug am Bodensee 100 Years of Seaplanes on Lake Constance Klassiker der Luftfahrt 56 59 ISSN 1860 0654 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Friedrichshafen FF 1 amp oldid 1151792203, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
