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

Friedrichshafen FF2

   In 1913 the second Friedrichshafen design, the FF2, made its first flight. It too was a floatplane, but had a totally different configuration than the FF1, being a tractor monoplane. A single-seater, it was smaller and less powerful than the FF1, having a 50 hp Orlikon engine. The FF2 was derived from a monoplane design by the Swiss designer Grandjean, who sold his patent to Friedrichshafen. The FF2 was built especially for the customer Ehrler from Unteruhldingen on Lake Constance. Only one FF2 was built.

Friedrichshafen FF2 Specifications
Engine: 50 hp Orlikon
Wing: Span 11.00 m
Area 48.0 m2
General: Length 9.80 m
Loaded Weight 972 kg


Friedrichshafen FF4
   Apparently the FF3 design was not built, because the FF4 was the next aircraft from Friedrichshafen. The FF4 was a development of the FF2 and was built to train Ehrler, who did not compete in the 1914 Lake Competition. First flying in early February 1914, the FF4 was a more mature two-seat floatplane of tractor monoplane configuration that loosely followed the basic Taube (dove) configuration so popular in Germany at the time for its inherent stability. It was powered by a four-cylinder, 65 hp Argus. Little is known about its specifications, and the sole FF4 burned during a major fire in 1918 in the airship hangar.

Friedrichshafen FF4 Specifications
Engine: 65 hp Argus