Friedrichshafen FF.41

Last updated
FF.41a
Friedrichshafen FF.41 aircraft.jpg
RoleReconnaissance
Manufacturer Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen GmbH
First flight1917
Introduction1917
Primary users Kaiserliche Marine
Finnish Air Force
Estonian Air Force
Number built9 (1 x FF.41a + 8 x FF.41at)

The Friedrichshafen FF.41a was a large, German-built, three-seat, twin-engine floatplane reconnaissance aircraft designed by Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen in 1917.

Contents

The aircraft was mainly used as a reconnaissance aircraft, but also as a bomber and as a mine-laying aircraft. A torpedo-carrying version, the FF.41at, was also developed. It had a modified fuselage and a single vertical fin (in comparison to the basic model's three). Only five FF.41at aircraft were manufactured. According to another information, eight FF.41 were built, and six of them were stationed in the Baltic territories. Aircraft numbered 996, 1000 and 1209 were stationed In Vindava (Ventspils), and aircraft numbered 997, 998 and 999 in Angersee.

Use in Finland

A side view of a FF.41AT torpedo bomber Friedrichshafen FF.41AT Q66895.jpg
A side view of a FF.41AT torpedo bomber

The Finnish Air Force purchased one FF.41at aircraft from the Germans in Estonia on 26 November 1918, at the end of World War I. It was flown to Sortavala where it was repaired. In 1922, the torpedo-carrying fuselage was changed, and the capability to carry torpedoes was removed. This aircraft was in use between 1918–23.

Use in Estonia

The Estonians found an unairworthy Friedrichshafen FF.41a in the Tallinn hangars. The remains of the wrecked German aeroplane were used to produce the first aeroplane of the independent Estonian Air Force. On 13 March 1919, the Naval Squad was established, and the barrack finished in 1921. [1] According to the other information the Estonians were left three aircraft. One of them was purchased by the Finns, and the other two in bad conditions were re-built as a new functioning one, which stayed in Estonian service.[ citation needed ]

Variants

FF.41a
A twin engined floatplane torpedo bomber, developed from the FF.35; one built.
FF.41at
Further developed torpedo bomber floatplane; eight built.

Operators

Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia
Estonian Air Force
Flag of Finland.svg  Finland
Finnish Air Force
Flag of the German Empire.svg  German Empire
German Imperial Navy

Specifications (FF.41at)

Data from Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen GmbH, [2] Thulinista Hornetiin – 75 vuotta Suomen ilmavoimien lentokoneita [3]

General characteristics

Performance

560 m (1,840 ft) in 9 minutes
800 m (2,600 ft) in 16 to 18 minutes
1,000 m (3,300 ft) in 20-25 minutes

Armament

See also

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References

  1. "Meremuuseum". www.meremuuseum.ee.
  2. Kober, Theodor von; Borzutzki, Siegfried (1993). Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen GmbH (in German) (1. Aufl ed.). Burbach. pp.  132-135. ISBN   978-3927513600.
  3. Timo Heinonen (1992). Thulinista Hornetiin – 75 vuotta Suomen ilmavoimien lentokoneita (in Finnish). Tikkakoski: Keski-Suomen ilmailumuseo. ISBN   951-95688-2-4.

Bibliography

Bibliography