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

Albatros J II
   This aircraft was an improvement on the J I, with the armour extended forward to enclose the engine. At least four examples were built, numbered 126/18, 133/18, 167/18 and 169/18, but in view of the success of the Junkers J I, it is doubtful if many more existed. The downward twin machine-guns may be seen in the photograph protruding through the floor between the undercarriage legs. This arrangement was subsequently abandoned due to difficult and inaccurate sighting at low altitude. Engine, 220 h.p. Benz IVa. Span, 13.55 m. (44 ft. 5 1/2 in.). Length, 8.433 m. (27 ft. 8 in.). Height, 3.4 m. (11 ft. 1 7/8 in.). Area, 43.2 sq.m. (466.56 sq.ft.). Weights: Empty, 1,027 kg. (2,259 lb.). Loaded, 1,927 kg. (4,239 lb.). Speed, 140 km.hr. (87.5 m.p.h.). Climb, 1,000 m. (3,280 ft.) in 8.7 min. Duration, 2.5 hr. Armament, two fixed Spandau machine-guns, one manually operated Parabellum machinegun in rear cockpit.

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

Albatros J.II

   Although the Albatros J.I met the letter of the J-type requirement for armor protection of the crew, it was the only production J-type that did not have an armored engine. Unsurprisingly, lack of engine armor was the flyers' main complaint about the Albatros J.I, leading directly to the redesigned J.II. Like the competing Junkers and AEG designs, the Albatros J.II featured armor around the engine, giving the J.II a boxy nose instead of the streamlined nose of the Albatros J.I. In addition, the radiator was likewise armored to make it less vulnerable.
   To compensate for the additional weight of the engine armor, the J.II had the 220 hp Benz Bz.IVa, a slightly more powerful version of the 200 hp Benz Bz.IV engine installed in the J.I. Wing sweep was reduced slightly to maintain proper center of gravity with the additional nose armor. Despite the additional power, maximum speed of the J.II remained the same as the J.I due to the increase in weight and drag - a slow 140 km/h. Like the preceding Albatros J.I, climb and ceiling of the J.II remained modest. Nevertheless, since most missions were flown at 500 meters or less, climb rate and ceiling were not viewed as critical for J-type aircraft, which relied on their armor for protection instead of speed and altitude performance.
   Like the preceding C.XII and J.I, the J.II had ailerons on all four wings. However, to reduce control forces and improve responsiveness, the upper wings of the J.II were given horn-balanced ailerons. Tail surfaces remained the same as the J.I. Initially, armament was also the same; a flexible machine gun for the observer and two fixed machine guns firing downward at a 45° angle. However, the Albatros J.II was designed to carry a flexible 20mm Becker cannon mounted in the floor of the observer's cockpit. But Idflieg reported that, by the end of September 1918, no J.II aircraft carrying this armament had been delivered. Forward-firing armament had not been installed on J-type aircraft because it was not considered useful for air-to-air combat given the heavy J-type's lack of agility. Likewise, diving at ground targets for strafing was at first considered too risky for these heavy, armored aircraft. However, due to difficulty aiming the downward-firing guns, as J.II production progressed the two fixed guns reportedly were moved to the conventional position in front of the pilot and firing directly ahead. If so, it was the only J-type to use this armament configuration. Unfortunately, photographs to confirm this installation have not surfaced.
   While the Albatros J.II had better armor protection than the J.I, its greater weight with essentially the same wing further increased its stall speed and aggravated the take-off distance, agility, and flight safety challenges suffered by all J-types. Albatros J.II production orders totaled 150 aircraft.


Albatros J-Type Specifications
Albatros J.I Albatros J.II
Engine 200 hp Benz Bz.IV 220 hp Benz Bz.IVa
Span, Upper 14.14m 14.1m
Span, Lower 13.45m 13.45m
Chord, Upper 1.70m 1.70m
Length 8.83m 8.44m
Track 2.0m 2.0m
Wing Sweepback 2° 1.5°
Wing Area 42.82 m2 43.2 m2
Empty Weight 1,398 kg. 1,515 kg.
Loaded Weight 1,808 kg. 1,927 kg.
Maximum Speed 140 km/h 140 km/h
Climb to 1,000m 11.2 minutes 11.2 minutes
Flight Duration 2.5 hours 2.5 hours
Armament 1 flexible machine gun, some aircraft 2 fixed machine guns 1 flexible machine gun, 2 fixed machine guns
Optional 20mm Becker Cannon 20mm Becker Cannon


Albatros J-Type Production Orders
Serial Numbers Qty Type and Order Date Lowest Known Serial Highest Known Serial
1918 Serials
J.125-174/18 50 Albatros J.II ordered Feb. 1918 J.126/18 J.169/18
J.616-715/18 100 Albatros J.II J.616/18 J.714/18
- 150 Albatros J.II were ordered and most, perhaps all, were delivered.