Friedrichshafen FF.33l

From Wings of Linen
Friedrichshafen FF.33l
Role Seaplane
Manufacturer Friedrichshafen
First flight early 1917[1]
Introduction Sept 1916 [2] to early 1917[1]
Primary user Germany
Number built 125[1]-135[3]
Variants 33, 33b, 33e, 33f, 33h, 33j, 33s
Wingspan 13.2 m (43 ft 4 in) [4]
Engine 150hp Benz Bz.III inline
Armament (some) fixed sync. LMG08/15 and
rear flexible Parabellum
Crew 2
Max Speed 136 km/h (85 mph)[5] - 140 km/h (87 mph)[4]
Climb 1,000 m (3,280 ft) in 8:00[5]-10:00[4]
Endurance 5-6hr [5]

The Friedrichshafen FF.33l was the last of the fighter/patrol FF.33s, and the first of the line to provide the pilot with a synchronized gun. It was provided with all the small refinements the line had received, and it was found to be fairly nimble and seaworthy and -- like all Friedrichshafen planes -- robust and well-built.[5]

Two varieties were built: the C2MG with a fixed, synchronized LMG08/15 for the pilot, and the CHFT, which sacrificed the pilot's gun for extra radio equipment. Both varieties provided the observer with a flexible Parabellum. Roughly 40 C2MG and 95 CHFT FF33.l's were delivered. In May 1917, 114 FF.33L were in service.[1]


For more information, see Wikipedia:Friedrichshafen FF.33.

References

Citations
  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Nowarra, p.38.
  2. Gray, p.122.
  3. Munson, p.169.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Nowarra, pp.204-205.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Gray, p.123.
Bibliography
  • Peter Gray and Owen Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. Great Britain, Putnam, 1962, 1987. ISBN 0-85177-809-7.
  • Kenneth Munson, Bombers: Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft, 1914-1919. New York: The MacMillan Company, 1968, Blandford Press Ltd. ISBN 978-0753721711
  • Heinz J. Nowarra, Bruce Robertson, and Peter G. Cooksley. Marine Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Letchworth, Herts, England: Harleyford Publications Limited, 1966. ISBN 0900435070