J.Herris AEG Aircraft of WWI (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 16)

AEG B.II

   In late 1914 Idflieg ordered the improved AEG B.II powered by the 150 hp Benz Bz.III. This aircraft, company designation Z9, was a more compact development of the earlier B.I. Nothing is know about designs Z7 and Z8; these were probably unbuilt projects. The first production AEG B.II was rolled out in February 1915 and arrived at the front in April 1915. According to AEG records, ten aircraft were delivered and some served at the front until August-September 1915. Some B.II biplanes were re-engined with a 120 hp Mercedes D.II engine and fitted with dual controls for training purposes.
  
AEG B.II Specifications
Engine: 150 hp Benz Bz.III 120 hp Mercedes D.II
Wing: Span Upper 13.07 m
Span Lower 11.83 m
Chord Upper 1.60 m
Chord Lower 1.60 m
Gap 1.95 m
Area 36.0 m2
General: Length 7.95 m
Track 2.30 m
Empty Weight 710 kg
Loaded Weight 1,125 kg
Maximum Speed: 130 kmh
Climb: 1000m 4.5 min


AEG B.III

   The AEG B.III (company designation Z10) was built in January 1915 as a lightened derivative of the B.II. Visually, the difference was a rounded fin and rudder and use of the 160 hp Mercedes D.III six-cylinder engine. As far as is known, only one B.III was built. Performance testing of the B.III compared to the B.II showed the B.III had a poorer climb despite being 10% lighter and having a slightly more powerful engine. Investigation revealed the bulged center-section gravity tank interfered with airflow from the propeller,- when the tank was removed and the wing gap increased the B.III achieved the expected climb rate. As a result, starting with the AEG C.IV the center-section tank and airfoil radiator were eliminated from AEG designs. This improvement was later confirmed by wind-tunnel tests at Gottingen.

M.Dusing German Aviation Industry in WWI. Volume 1 (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 84)

Allgemeine Elektrizitats-Gesellschaft, Flugzeugfabrik, Hennigsdorf (AEG)

Aircraft Development:

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  After the outbreak of war, further series of this type of aircraft were delivered to the air forces. Although here, too, the design did not give rise to any complaints, and the folding of the wings frequently proved advantageous in warfare, increased climbing ability was required for war-related reasons, which is why a better climbing, fighter machine was designed.
  This type was built in the autumn of 1914/15 according to the specifications of the engineer Georg Konig, who from then on was assigned the management of the design office, while maintaining the metal construction and the folding capability of the wings, and was delivered to the field as the Aeg B.II with a 120 hp Mercedes D.II engine, where it proved itself as a replacement for the earlier types due to the 1,000 m increase in climb performance. In terms of aircraft development, it is interesting to note that this type was the first to undercut the weight of the competing wooden aircraft by means of steel construction. This eliminated a prejudice that had hitherto existed against the use and usefulness of steel aircraft. The introduction of aluminum alloys into aircraft construction further displaced the wooden construction method.
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