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

Albatros W 8
   Marine Nos. 5001-5003 were allocated to W 8 type, but only the first two aircraft are believed to have been supplied, during 1918. Intended for fighting patrol duties and as a possible successor to the Brandenburg W 12, the W 8 incorporated some of the features of the Heinkel-designed machine, notably the high-set tailplane. However, as this was now set atop the vertical fin, it was particularly vulnerable and had not the strength factor of the Brandenburg, with its upswept fuselage to carry the tailplane. The other Albatros W 8 differed only in being fitted with a pointed spinner. Engine, 195 h.p. Benz IIIb vee eight. Span, 11.46 m. (37 ft. 1 1/4 in.). Length, 9.59 m. (31 ft. 5 5/8 in.). Height, 3.39 m. (11 ft. 1 1/2 in.). Speed, 150 km.hr. (93.75 m.p.h.). Climb, 1,000 m. (3,280 ft.) in 6.5 min., 3,000 m. (9,840 ft.) in 34 min. Useful load, 500 kg. (1,100 lb.). Duration, 3.5 hr. Armament, one fixed Spandau machine-gun forward, one manually operated Parabellum machine-gun in rear cockpit.

J.Herris German Seaplane Fighters of WWI (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 2)

Albatros W8

   The Albatros company, largest aircraft manufacturer in WWI Germany, offered the Albatros W8 for the Navy's two-seat fighter. Although similar in concept to the Brandenburg W12, its tail design obstructed more of the gunner's field of fire and it used an experimental engine that reached production too late to power aircraft at the front; only three were built.

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

Albatros W.8

   The Albatros W.6 and W.7 designs were not built, making the Albatros W.8 the last wartime Albatros seaplane. The company offered the Albatros W.8 to the Navy's to satisfy its two-seat floatplane fighter needs. Although similar in concept to the Brandenburg W.12, its tail design obstructed more of the gunner's field of fire and it used an experimental engine, the 195 hp Benz Bz.IIIb, that reached production too late to power aircraft at the front. Moreover, despite the power of its V8 engine, it was slower than the W.12 biplane, and the W.29 monoplane was faster yet. By the time the Albatros W.8 was tested, the superior Brandenburg W.29 monoplane was already in service. Only three aircraft, Marine Numbers 5001-5003, were ordered and it is not certain that MN 5003 was completed.


Albatros Seaplane Specifications
Type W.1 W.2 W.3 W4 MN747 W4 (948-967) W.5 W.8
Engine 150 hp Benz Bz.III or 160 hp Mercedes D.III 150 hp Benz Bz.III 2x150 hp Benz Bz.III 160 hp Mercedes D.III 160 hp Mercedes D.III 2x150 hp Benz Bz.III 195 hp Benz Bz.IIIb
Span 14.3 m 10.0 m 22.7 m 9.50 m 9.50 m 22.7 m 11.46 m
Length 8.56 m 8.2 m 13.1 m 8.50 m 8.50 m 13.1 m 9.59 m
Wing Area 43.0 m2 31.4 m2 - 31.0 m2 - 100 m2 -
Empty Weight - 935 kg. - 709 kg 784 kg 2,263 kg -
Flying Weight - 1,215 kg - 989 kg 155 km/h 3,665 kg -
Maximum Speed - 176 km/h 133 km/h 155 km/h 160 km/h 133 km/h 150 km/h
Climb to 1,000m - - - - 5.5 min. 20.0 min. 6.5 min.
Climb to 2,000m - - - - 8.5 min. -
Climb to 3,000m - - - - 23 min. - 34 min.
Duration - - - - - 4 hours 3.5 hours
Guns None 1 gun 1 gun 1 gun 2 guns 1 gun 1-2 fixed guns + 1 flexible gun


Albatros W.1-W.8 Seaplane Production
Aircraft Number Built Marine Numbers
Albatros W.8 3 5001-5003