LVG B (Series)

Unarmed Reconnaissance Scout / Trainer Biplane Aircraft

Imperial Germany | 1915

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

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the LVG B.I Unarmed Reconnaissance Scout / Trainer Biplane Aircraft.

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 kts
Max Speed

261 miles
420 km | 227 nm
Operational Range

Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the LVG B.I Unarmed Reconnaissance Scout / Trainer Biplane Aircraft.

2
(MANNED)
Crew

27.2 ft
8.30 m
O/A Length

39.8 ft
(12.12 m)
O/A Width

9.7 ft
(2.95 m)
O/A Height

1,601 lb
(726 kg)
Empty Weight

2,370 lb
(1,075 kg)
MTOW

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the LVG B (Series) family line.

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

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 07/31/2019 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

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.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the LVG B (Series). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 100 Units
Contractor(s): Luft-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft (LVG) - Imperial Germany

[ German Empire; Imperial Russia ]

1 / 1

Image from the Public Domain.

Going Further...
The LVG B (Series) Unarmed Reconnaissance Scout / Trainer Biplane Aircraft appears in the following collections:

HOME

AVIATION INDEX

AIRCRAFT BY COUNTRY

AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks of the World U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols Breakdown U.S. 5-Star Generals List WWII Weapons by Country World War Next

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.

©2024 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2024 (21yrs)