Friedrichshafen FF64

O.Thetford, P.Gray German Aircraft of the First World War (Putnam)
J.Herris Friedrichshafen Aircraft of WWI (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 21)
Журнал Flight

O.Thetford, P.Gray German Aircraft of the First World War (Putnam)

Friedrichshafen FF 64
Development of the FF 64 was due to the success of the ship-borne Wolfchen. It was especially designed for easy launching, and the wings were arranged to fold for compact shipboard stowage without its structural strength and seaworthiness being affected. Radio transmitter and receiver were installed. Only three aircraft were built and supplied from March 1918. Power unit was 160 h.p. Mercedes D III, and a manually operated Parabellum machine-gun was carried in rear cockpit.

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

Friedrichshafen FF64

After the success of Wolfchen, the FF33E carried by the raider Wolf, the FF64 was designed as a class CHFT floatplane for use from ships. For this purpose a key design requirement was the ability to fold the wings for easy shipboard storage; another was to be able to launch it quickly.
Three prototypes, Marine Numbers 3061-3064, were ordered in March 1918. SVK acceptance records cease at the end of June 1918, by which time none of the FF64 floatplanes had been accepted. However, the adjacent photos of Marine Number 3061 prove that at least one of the three aircraft ordered was completed. The photos also show at least three different configurations for the vertical tail surfaces were built and evaluated. The FF64 was a sturdy, 3-bay biplane able to folding its wings back to a compact footprint for deck handling; additional inner-bay struts enabled bracing wires to be eliminated from that bay for ease of launching.

Friedrichshafen FF64 Specifications
Engine: 170 hp Mercedes D.IIIa

Журнал Flight

Flight, October 23, 1919.

SOME FRIEDRICHSHAFEN "MILESTONES"

"The F.F. 64
"The success of the 'Wolfchen' as a ship's 'plane to the auxiliary cruiser 'The Wolf,' led to the construction of the F.F. 64 (Figs. 34 and 35). This machine, which had a 160 h.p. Mercedes engines, has been specially designed to be easily launched from the ship. In order to facilitate storage and launching, the wings are made to fold back, the hinges being just above the floats. The machine can also be easily dismantled and erected without its rigidity, reliability and seaworthiness being impaired.

Самолеты (сортировка по:)
Страна	Конструктор	Название	Год	Фото	Текст

	J.Herris - Friedrichshafen Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/
	The prototype FF64 front view shows careful construction and streamlining for its time.
	J.Herris - Friedrichshafen Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/
	This is believed to be the first version of the prototype FF64 tail design with no fin on top of the fuselage.
	J.Herris - Friedrichshafen Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/
	The FF64 was designed to carry a flexible machinegun and wireless to lead a commerce raider to target ships. The tail design seems to have been influenced by Brandenburg designs to give the observer a wide field of fire.
	J.Herris - Friedrichshafen Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/
	Believed to be the second configuration of the prototype FF64; the tail has an upper fin and the lower fin has been shortened. Marine Number 3061 may have been the only aircraft completed of the three ordered.
	J.Herris - Friedrichshafen Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/
	This image of FF64 #3061 front view shows an alternative tail design, with both the rudder and fixed vertical stabilizer surfaces modified from the surfaces shown in the other photos. This is believed to be the third variation tested.
	Журнал - Flight за 1919 г.
	F.F. 64
	Журнал - Flight за 1919 г.
	F.F. 64
	J.Herris - Friedrichshafen Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/
	The FF64 demonstrating its ability to fold its wings for compact shipboard storage, which required additional wing bracing. The ability to quickly launch the aircraft from storage was a key design requirement.
	J.Herris - Friedrichshafen Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/
	Third version of the (see rudder) FF64 demonstrating its ability to fold its wings for compact shipboard storage. With wings folded the FF64 would fit into a standard cargo hatch.