Friedrichshafen FF63

O.Thetford, P.Gray German Aircraft of the First World War (Putnam)
J.Herris German Seaplane Fighters of WWI (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 2)
J.Herris Friedrichshafen Aircraft of WWI (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 21)

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

Friedrichshafen FF 63
The only information to be found on this aircraft is that it was a copy of the Brandenburg W 29, although it would appear more true to say that the design was based on the Brandenburg, as it was far from an exact copy.

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

Friedrichshafen FF63

Friedrichshafen, who manufactured more seaplanes than any other German company, produced a competitor to the Brandenburg monoplanes, the FF63. The engine was the 200 hp Benz Bz.IV; virtually no other technical data on the type survives, and even its Marine Number is not known.
The FF63 was not as innovative in its structural design as the Brandenburg monoplanes and only a single FF63 was built. The radiator above the engine was surely fitted to expedite early flight testing; this installation produced far too much drag for a production aircraft and also obstructed vision.

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

Friedrichshafen FF63

Friedrichshafen produced a competitor to the Brandenburg W.29, the FF63. The engine was the 200 hp Benz Bz.IV; virtually no other technical data on the type survives, and even its Marine Number is not known. The FF63 was not as innovative in its structural design as the Brandenburg monoplanes and only a single FF63 was built. The radiator above the engine was surely fitted to expedite early flight testing; this installation obstructed vision and produced far too much drag for a production aircraft.

Friedrichshafen FF63 Specifications
Engine: 200 hp Benz Bz.IV

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

	M.Dusing - German Aviation Industry in WWI. Volume 2 /Centennial Perspective/ (85)
	Fdh FF63 (1918). Following the success of the HaBra two-seater fighters which had an excellent field of fire as a low-wing monoplane, Kober also built such a low-wing monoplane at the request of the R.M.A.. However, this was braced to the floats. Powered by the 200 hp Benz Bz.IV, the Friedrichshafen FF63 appears to be a fair design that just does not match the innovative structural design of the W29 and W33 that were its competitors. The additional bracing struts above the wing and the struts above the fuselage added weight and drag that the Brandenburg monoplanes avoided. The tail was made of fabric-covered steel tubing, a major innovation for Friedrichshafen.
	J.Herris - German Seaplane Fighters of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (2)
	Powered by the 200 hp Benz Bz.IV, the Friedrichshafen FF63 appears to be a fair design that just does not match the innovative structural design of the W29 and W33 that were its competitors. The additional bracing struts above the wing and the struts above the fuselage added weight and drag that the Brandenburg monoplanes avoided. The tail gave the gunner a good field of fire, but again the Brandenburg designs had a better field of file.
	J.Herris - German Seaplane Fighters of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (2)
	Only one Friedrichshafen FF63 was built. The radiator mounted above the engine was surely to expedite flight testing and would certainly have been replaced by an installation of lower drag had it gone into production.
	J.Herris - Friedrichshafen Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (21)
	Prototype Friedrichshafen FF63 two-seat fighter.