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

Friedrichshafen FF 59a, FF 59b
   Two versions of the FF 59 with modified tail surfaces, which led eventually to the FF 59c, for details of which see following page, all general details being applicable.


Friedrichshafen FF 59c
   Supplied from June 1918 onwards, the FF 59c reverted to the less powerful 200 h.p. Benz engine and was little more than a modified FF 39 fitted with both transmitting and receiving radio equipment. The inboard bracing cables were deleted, thus enabling the gunner to hazard a shot forward between the wings should the necessity arise. Span, 17.8 m. (58 ft. 4 7/8 in.). Length, 11.3 m. (37 ft. 1 in.). Height, 4.25 m. (13 ft. 11 3/8 in.). Area, 71.5 sq.m. (772 sq.ft.). Weights: Empty, 1,588 kg. (3,494 lb.). Loaded, 2,248 kg. (4,946 lb.). Speed, 142 km.hr. (88.75 m.p.h.). Climb, 1,000 m. (3,280 ft.) in 8.9 min., 3,000 m. (9,840 ft.) in 49.7 min. Duration, 5 2/3 hr. Armament, one manually operated Parabellum machine-gun in rear cockpit.

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

Журнал Flight

Flight, October 23, 1919.

SOME FRIEDRICHSHAFEN "MILESTONES"

"The F.F. 59B
   "As a result of the requirements for reconnaissance machines to be capable of defending themselves against attack, and even under suitable conditions to go over to attack, the F.F. 59C shown in Figs. 32 and 33 was so designed that with the rear machine gun the gunner could fire forward between the first pair of interplane struts and the propeller disc, whilst the fixed machine gun was worked by the pilot. In order to give as large a field of fire as possible to the rear machine gun, the inner front interplane strut was moved outwards slightly farther than the corresponding rear strut, and the wing bracing of the inner bay was entirely omitted.