A.E.G. B.I

The A.E.G. B.I was an unarmed three-bay biplane with wings on unequal span. It was designed in 1914 and used a method of construction that would become the standard for A.E.G. aircraft. The main structure was made of welded steel tubes. Each wing had two steel tube spars, with wooden ribs to give the wing shape. The framework was covered with fabric. Both wings had some dihedral, and the upper wing was larger than the lower wing.

A.E.G. B.I from the Front, 1914
A.E.G. B.I from the Front, 1914

The B.I had a tailskid, and also a nose wheel mounted just in front of the main wheels to protect the propeller from damage during bad landings.

The B.I was powered by a 100hp Mercedes D.I engine, mounted with most of the engine exposed above the fuselage (a feature that would be repeated on most later A.E.G. designs). Cooling radiators were mounted on each side of the fuselage.

Rimo Dohrn in front of A.E.G. B.I, Adlershof, 1914
Rimo Dohrn in front of A.E.G. B.I, Adlershof, 1914

A small number of B.Is were produced and saw service as unarmed reconnaissance aircraft during 1914.

The B.I was followed by the A.E.G. B.II, which had a more powerful 120hp engine.

Engine: Mercedes D.I inline engine
Power: 100hp
Crew: 2
Span: 50ft 10 1/4in
Length: 34ft 5 3/8in
Empty weight: 1,430lb
Maximum take-off weight:
Max speed: 62.5mph

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How to cite this article: Rickard, J (22 December 2015), A.E.G. B.I , http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_AEG_BI.html

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