J.Herris Friedrichshafen Aircraft of WWI (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 21)

Friedrichshafen FF17

   The FF17 floatplane was the next Friedrichshafen design built. It was a tractor, two-seat biplane with 2 1/2 bay wing cellule. Powered by a 135 hp NAG six-cylinder engine, it was the first biplane with full fuselage built by Friedrichshafen, and its first flight was in May 1914. It was built for and flown at the 1914 Bodensee competition. At first it used a central float with wingtip floats for balance, but then was converted to a pair of floats. The intention was to fly the modified aircraft in the 1914 Baltic flight competition. Like the earlier Friedrichshafen aircraft, only one was built, but it had the potential to be a reconnaissance floatplane.

Friedrichshafen FF17 Specifications
Engine: 135 hp NAG
Wing: Span Upper 15.20 m
Span Lower 10.20 m
General: Length 10.00 m