History

Albatros B. II was designed by Ernst Heinkel. The B.II was released at about the outbreak of the war and was widely used.
It had a smaller wingspan than the Albatros B.I
Two versions were built, Series 21 and Series 22, which differed from each other mainly by the more powerful engine and a number of constructive changes.
After 1915, the plane was gradually phased out, but remained in use as a trainer for some time.

Versions.

During the production it was fitted with different engines.
Also a float version was built under the designation Albatros B.IIW.
A trainer version with a larger wingspan and another engine was designated Albatros B. IIa

 

Technical Information
Dimensions:
Length: 12,8 m Wingspan: 7,63 m
Height: 3,15 m Wing area: 40,12 m2
Weights:
Empty weight: 723 kg Max. start weight: 1071 kg
Performances:
Max. speed: 105 km/u Rate of climb: 10 min to 700 m
Range: 4 hrs Service ceiling:  
Miscellaneous:
Engine type: One Mercedes D.III rated 120 hp
Crew: Two  men
Armament: .

 


Two aircraft of this type, nicknamed "Little Albatros" were interned.
The first one landed on February 28, 1916 at Bergharen and was purchased in April 1916 and assigned the serial LA39.
In a crash on December 18, 1917 it was completely destroyed.

A second Albatros B.II landed in August 1916 at Vlodrop, after being shot. This machine was purchased in February 1917 and entered service with the registration LA31. On December 4, 1917 it was destroyed in a fatal crash at Soesterberg.

Albatros B.II, met registratie LA39. Neergestort op 18 dec. 1917. Aan boord bevonden zich lt.vl. J. Jongbloed en lt. Van Dijk.
Albatros B.II, serial LA39, crashed on December 18, 1917. Crew were lt.vl. J. Jongbloed and lt. Van Dijk.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Albatros B.II LA31, ex-78/14. Neusstand op het strand van Noordwijk, 14 maart 1917. Lt.vl. van Wulfften Palthe en lt.wnr. Perk. Lt. Perk maakte foto's. Het toestel wordt afgevoerd.
Albatros B.II LA31, ex-78/14. Made a nose stand on the beach near Noordwijk, March 14, 1917; crew Lt.vl. van Wulfften Palthe and lt.wnr. Perk.
Lt. Perk made some photo's. Here, the aircraft is being salvaged.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Albatros B.II met registratie LA31 na een noodlanding bij Putten, 1 sept. 1917. Vlieger is P.M. van Wulfften Palthe.
Albatros B.II, serial LA31 after an emergency landing near Putten September 1, 1917. Pilot was P.M. van Wulfften Palthe.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Albatros B.II LA31, ex-78/14. Neergestort op 4 dec. 1917 en afgeschreven. Lt.vl. van Voorthuijsen kwam er heelhuids af.
Albatros B.II LA31, ex-78/14. Crashed on December 4, 1917 and was written off. Pilot Lt.vl. van Voorthuijsen had no injuries.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Albatros B.II LA31, ex-78/14, op de neus op het strand van Noordwijk, 14 maart 1917. Lt.vl. van Wulfften Palthe en lt.wnr. Perk. De laatste maakte de foto's.
Albatros B.II LA31, ex-78/14, on its nose on the beach near Noordwijk. Lt.vl. van Wulfften Palthe and lt.wnr. Perk flew the aircraft and the last one made this photo's.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

 


SerialWerknr.Bestellnr.Date in serviceDate out of serviceNotes
LA31 78/14   09-08-1916  04-12-1917 Written off after a crash near Noordwijk.
LA39 610/15   28-02-1916  17-12-1917 Written off after a crash

 


1/72nd Scale

Kits

  • Chorozy Model
    • Kit MKA014: A resin model of a Albatros B.IIa

Modelling add-on

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Decals

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1/48th Scale

Kits

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    • Kit --: --

Modelling add-on

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Decals

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SchemeColour nameFS numberHumbrolXtraColor
Standard #1Fuselage: Wood + varnish   ~ 100  
metal parts: Light grey      
Wings (and linen parts) Cellite ~3531 121 X105

Check www.paint4models.com for an extensive conversion table with lots of colour and paint systems.

 


Literature.

Van Brik tot Starfighter H. Hooftman   1965 La Rivière en Voorhoeve - Zwolle
KLu Vliegtuigen W. Schoenmaker/Th. Postma Pag. 11 1987 Uitgave: De Alk Alkmaar
Aircraft Archive: Aircraft of World War One; Volume 2   Pag. 55 - 59 1989 Argus Books, Hempsted
Camouflage en Kentekens J.Greuter e.a.   1997 Bonneville – Bergen (NH)
Air Enthusiast no.80, The Historical Aviation Journal: Unexpected Windfalls Bart van der Klaauw Pag. 54 - 59 1999 Key Publishing, Stamford

 

Websites.