LVG B (Series)

Unarmed Reconnaissance Scout / Trainer Biplane Aircraft [ 1915 ]

The LVG B-series of twin-seat biplane aircraft was produced in three distinct variants.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 07/31/2019 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

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Prior to production of military aircraft, the LVG concern ("Luft-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft") was focused on manufacture of dirigibles which proved useful in reconnaissance sorties and artillery spotting, however vulnerable they were to ground and aircraft fire. The LVG B-series of aircraft became the company's first foray into military aviation and consisted of a lightweight two-seat biplane design which saw service in World War 1. Categorized as a reconnaissance aircraft, the system and its crew were charged with reconnoitering over enemy held territory, detailing enemy movements and positions in after-action reports and debriefings alike. Unlike later two-seat reconnaissance platforms encountered during the war, the B-series was unarmed and wholly susceptible to all kinds of aerial and ground dangers.

The initial production model, the B.I, was of a typical biplane configuration with an upper and lower wing assembly of unequal span joined together by various struts and cabling. The wings sported double bays with parallel struts and shorter supports at the fuselage. The engine was fitted at the extreme forward end of the fuselage with a conventional three-plane tail section at the rear. Power was supplied by a Mercedes D.I series inline liquid-cooled piston engine developing 100 horsepower. This supplied the aircraft with a top speed of 65 miles per hour with a four-hour endurance window. The pilot and his observer sat in tandem aft of the cockpit and under the upper wing assembly - the pilot in the rear and the observer to his front. The undercarriage consisted of two main landing gear wheels supported by struts under the main bulk of the fuselage and a tail skid at the rear. As stated above, the B.I was unarmed.

The German Luftstreitkrafte (air force) took deliveries of the B.I and, shortly thereafter, LVG began offering an improved form under the new designation of "B.II". This version introduced a more powerful Mercedes inline engine outputting 120 horsepower. Additionally, the upper wing assembly sported a "cut-out" section intended to better the views from the pilot's position. A trainer derivative - the "B.III" - was also introduced to help train upcoming pilots in the nuances of flight. The B.III was given a reinforced understructure to help contend with "rough flying".

Due to the inherent limitations of the aircraft line as a whole and advancing aeronautical technology throughout the war, the B-series was eventually removed from active frontline reconnaissance duties and relegated primarily to training. From then on, it was formally replaced by more capable types.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Luft-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft (LVG) - Imperial Germany
Manufacturer(s)

German Empire; Imperial Russia
Operators

1915
Service Year

Imperial Germany
National Origin

Retired
Project Status

2
Crew

100
Units

INTELLIGENCE-SURVEILLANCE-RECONNAISSANCE
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

TRAINING
Developed ability to be used as a dedicated trainer for student pilots (typically under the supervision of an instructor).

27.2 ft
(8.30 meters)
Length

39.8 ft
(12.12 meters)
Width/Span

9.7 ft
(2.95 meters)
Height

1,601 lb
(726 kilograms)
Empty Weight

2,370 lb
(1,075 kilograms)
Maximum Take-Off Weight

+769 lb
(+349 kg)
Weight Difference

1 x Mercedes D.I liquid-cooled inline piston engine developing 100 horsepower. driving a two-bladed propeller unit at the nose.
Propulsion

65 mph
(105 kph | 57 knots)
Max Speed

261 miles
(420 km | 227 nm)
Range

MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

♦

None.

B.I - Initial Production Model; fitted with Mercedes D.I series engine of 100 horsepower.

B.II - Improved B.I; fitted with Mercedes D.II series engine of 120 horsepower.

B.III - Two-Seat Trainer; reinforced throughout

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