The Friedrichshafen FF.27 was a reconnaissance floatplane built in Germany during World War I.

Design and development

The FF.27 was a two-seat floatplane of mixed construction which had a single NAG 6-cyl 135hp piston engine mounted in the center nacelle. The tail empennage extended out from the fuselage via twin metal booms and the FF.27 had of pair of floats mounted under the center wing section.

The first flight of the FF.27 took place in 1914, occurring in response to the Baltic Ostsee-Wettbewerb 1914 aviation contest. After the outbreak of WWI, the FF.27 was delivered to the Imperial German Navy and given the serial 62, being used for reconnaissance duties.

Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Wingspan: 14.40 m (47 ft 3 in)
• Wing area: 45 m² (480 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 900 kg (1,984 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 1,100 kg (2,425 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × NAG 6-cyl 135hp 6-cylinder inline engine, 101 kW (135 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 100 km/h (62 mph, 54 kn)
• Cruise speed: 95 km/h (59 mph, 51 kn)

References

Bibliography

• Borzutzki, 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.
• Kroschel, Günter & Stützer, Helmut (1977). Die deutschen Militärflugzeuge 1910–1918: in 127 Vierseitenrissen im Massstab 1:144 [German Military Aircraft 1910-1918: In 127 Four-page Drawings to 1:144 Scale] (in German). Wilhelmshaven, West Germany: Lohse-Eissing. ISBN 3-920602-18-8.