French
DeutschSablatnig SF-8
| SF-8 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Role | Seaplane trainer |
| National origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Sablatnig |
| First flight | 1918 |
| Primary user | Imperial German Navy |
| Number built | At least 3 (out of 33 ordered) |
The Sablatnig SF-8 was a training seaplane produced in Germany during the First World War.[1] While Sablatnig's previous designs for the Imperial German Navy had often seen service as trainers, the SF-8 was purpose-built for this role, at Dr Sablatnig's suggestion.[2] The SF-8 was similar to the firm's earlier designs: a conventional two-bay biplane with staggered wings of unequal span, with open cockpits in tandem.[2]
Operational history
[edit]The Navy ordered three machines for evaluation (serials 2020–2022) in 1917, which were delivered on 17 January the following year.[3] After evaluation at Warnemünde proved favourable, the Navy ordered the type into production, placing an order for 30 machines and allocating serial numbers 6001–6030 to the batch.[2] It is unclear how many of these were produced or delivered before the end of the war.[2]
Specifications
[edit]Data from Kroschel & Stützer 1994, p.165
General characteristics
- Crew: Two, pilot and instructor
- Length: 10.20 m (33 ft 6 in)
- Wingspan: 16.00 m (52 ft 6 in)
- Height: 3.80 m (12 ft 6 in)
- Empty weight: 1,183 kg (2,603 lb)
- Gross weight: 1,574 kg (3,465 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Benz Bz.III , 110 kW (150 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 130 km/h (81 mph, 70 kn)
- Rate of climb: 1.1 m/s (223 ft/min)
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]
- Gray, Peter; Owen Thetford (1962). German Aircraft of the First World War. London: Putnam.
- Herris, Jack (2015). German Seaplanes of WWI: Sablatnig, Kaiserliche Werften, Lübeck-Travemünde, LTG, & Oertz: A Centennial Perspective on Great War Seaplanes. Great War Aviation Centennial Series. Vol. 15. n.p.: Aeronaut Books. ISBN 978-1-935881-27-8.
- Kroschel, Günter; Helmut Stützer (1994). Die Deutschen Militärflugzeuge 1910–1918. Herford: Verlag E.S. Mittler & Sohn.
- Nowarra, Heinz J. (1966). Marine Aircraft of the 1914–1918 War. Letchworth, Harts: Harleyford Publications.
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.