Albatros L 3 / L 9

O.Thetford, P.Gray German Aircraft of the First World War (Putnam)
J.Herris Albatros Aircraft of WWI. Vol.3: Bombers, Seaplanes, J-types (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 26)

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

Albatros L 3
An unarmed single-seat scout type. Probably late 1914 or early 1915. Powered with 100 h.p. Gnome. According to records six machines of the type were constructed.

Albatros L 9
This little single-seat unarmed machine, designed by Dorner, was truly the precursor of the later famous D series. The thick, high-lift wings, later seen in the C IV, G II and G III types, may be observed. The fragility of the single interplane struts and absence of bracing cables would appear to indicate that the wing panels were a near cantilever structure. Power unit was the 100 h.p. Mercedes D I with radiator mounted over the cylinder heads.

J.Herris Albatros Aircraft of WWI. Vol.3: Bombers, Seaplanes, J-types (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 26)

Albatros Miscellaneous L-Types

After WWI was over, Albatros, a major aircraft manufacturer in defeated Germany, decided to retroactively introduce a designation system for their aircraft and projects that had nothing to do with military type designations. The result was the Albatros L Designations that were applied arbitrarily. The L designations were neither chronological nor did they link aircraft in a design lineage.
At least two of these aircraft were not given formal military designations, nor were they produced in quantity or used operationally. These two aircraft, the L3 and the L9, are presented here for completeness.

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

	J.Herris - Albatros Aircraft of WWI. Volume 3: Bombers, Seaplanes, J-types /Centennial Perspective/
	Known as the GDD 100 hp Gnome, the L3 was a small single-seat biplane. It was probably built in 1914 or early 1915 and was powered by a 100 hp Gnome rotary. It was likely intended as a scout (reconnaissance) aircraft; however, the German Army preferred two-seat reconnaissance aircraft. Construction appears to consist of a semi-monocoque plywood fuselage and conventional wood, wire, and fabric wings, all of which was typical of standard Albatros practice. (Peter M. Bowers Collection/Museum of Flight)
	J.Herris - Albatros Aircraft of WWI. Volume 3: Bombers, Seaplanes, J-types /Centennial Perspective/
	Albatros L 9
	J.Herris - Albatros Aircraft of WWI. Volume 3: Bombers, Seaplanes, J-types /Centennial Perspective/
	The Albatros L9, designed by Dorner, had thick, high-lift wings similar to the later Albatros G.III bomber. The wings were greatly staggered and a small, vulnerable-looking button rudder without fixed fin was used. Power was from a 100 hp Albatros D.I engine with brow radiator mounted over the engine. Directional stability would seem to have been marginal. A single interplane strut was used together with large struts bracing the wing spars. Despite the eccentric configuration, this aircraft may have been an ancestor of the later Albatros fighters. (Peter M. Bowers Collection/Museum of Flight)
	J.Herris - Albatros Aircraft of WWI. Volume 3: Bombers, Seaplanes, J-types /Centennial Perspective/
	One more view of the unusual Albatros L9 are shown here. The interplane struts, which connect the rear spar of the top wing to the front spar of the bottom wing, seem inadequate and may indicate the wings were essentially cantilever designs. The interplane strut improved aileron effectiveness by stiffening the wing cellule.