Albatros W.4
The Albatros W.4 was a military floatplane designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Albatros Flugzeugwerke.
| W.4 | |
|---|---|
| First prototype of Albatros W.IV, No.747 | |
| Role | Fighter |
| Manufacturer | Albatros Flugzeugwerke |
| First flight | 1916 |
| Retired | 1918 |
| Primary user | Luftstreitkräfte |
| Produced | 1916–1917 |
| Number built | 118 |
| Developed from | Albatros D.I |
The W.4 was a derivative of the Albatros D.I land-based fighter aircraft, furnished with a new wing and tail section of greater span than the D.I. It was powered by the same 120 kW (160 hp) Mercedes D.III engine as fitted to the D.I while its fuselage was also based upon its predecessor. The first production series W.4s were armed with one lMG08 7.92 mm (.312 in) machine gun, while later built aircraft carried two guns. While early production aircraft were equipped with ailerons only on the upper wings, those built later on had ailerons on all four wings instead.
Performing its maiden flight during 1916, a total of three prototypes were produced. The W.4 was first used in combat in September 1916; it would be operated in both the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. The final aircraft was delivered in December 1917. It was displaced from frontline duties by newer twin-seat floatplanes.