W.Green, G.Swanborough The Complete Book of Fighters

NFW E II Germany

   Although the National-Flugzeug-Werke was largely preoccupied with aircraft repair and flying school operation, in 1917 this concern again built an original single-seat monoplane. To the designs of Dipl Ing Heinrich and completed at Leipzig, this aircraft was of wooden construction and was powered by a 160 hp Daimler D IIIa six-cylinder water-cooled engine. Referred to as the E II, although, again, this is unlikely to have been an official designation, this aircraft progressed no further than a single prototype.

Max speed, 116 mph (186 km/h).
Time to 9,515 ft (2 900 m), 6.3 min.
Empty weight, 1,230 lb (558 kg).
Loaded weight, 1,693 lb (768 kg).
Span, 39 ft 4 1/2 in (12,00 m).
Wing area, 182.99 sq ft (17,00 m2).

J.Herris German Aircraft of Minor Manufacturers in WW1. Vol II (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 50)

NFW E.II

   The National Flugzeug-Werke (NFW) at Leipzig was primarily involved in aircraft repair and flight training. However, NFW built a couple of fighter prototypes. The NFW E.I was a typical Eindecker except for its wing, but the NFW E.II was an interesting example of a third-generation German fighter. Built in 1917 to the design of Dipl. Ing. Heinrich, it featured a combination of a first-generation Eindecker configuration with a powerful engine and greatly improved wing design.
   In contrast to the Fokker and Pfalz Eindeckers that used wire-braced wings and wing-warping for roll control, the NFW E.II had plywood-covered cantilever wings with minimal wire bracing and was fitted with ailerons for roll control. The two wing spars were continuous through the fuselage for greater strength and the pilot sat between them.
   Unlike most Eindecker fighters, the NFW E.II was powered by a water-cooled engine, in this case a 160 hp Mercedes D.III. The more streamlined design and greater power resulted in much improved performance compared to earlier Eindeckers, with maximum speed improved by 30 km/h, making it faster than Albatros fighters, and the climb rate more than doubled despite its greater weight.
   Although the NFW E.II displayed good performance, nothing is known about its handling qualities or maneuverability, both critical aspects of a fighter. In any case, for unknown reasons (perhaps bias against monoplanes?) this rare, little-known fighter was limited to a single prototype.
   The NFW E.II was the most advanced German monoplane fighter design before the advent of the Fokker monoplane prototypes of 1918 (V17, V23, V25, V27, V28) with their thick, plywood-covered, cantilever wings. Unfortunately, the NFW E.II lacked access to the innovative Fokker wing technology.

NFW E.II Specifications
Engine: 160 hp Mercedes D.III
Wing: Span 12.00 m
Wing Area 17.00 m2
General: Empty Weight 558 kg
Loaded Weight 768 kg
Maximum Speed: 186 kmh
Climb: 2,900 m 6.3 min.