W.Green, G.Swanborough The Complete Book of Fighters
GERMANIA DB Germany
Built by the Germania-Flugzeugwerke GmbH of Leipzig, the DB two-seat fighter utilised the efficient Walfisch (Whale) fuselage configuration which endowed the gunner, seated ahead of the pilot, with a broad forward field of fire. A two-bay biplane, the DB was powered by a 180 hp Argus As III water-cooled engine, carried a single machine gun on a ring mounting in the forward cockpit and was undergoing trials in September 1915. No production of the fighter was undertaken and no data relating to this type are available.
M.Dusing Germania Flugzeugwerke and its Aircraft (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 41)
Germania DB Two-Seat Fighter
The "DB", a larger two-seat version of the JM fighter was developed in parallel with the JM. It was designed as a two-seater fighter, with a 180 hp Argus As III engine. The observer/gunner had a free field of fire in front over the propeller arc. As with the other Germania-designed aircraft, only one DM prototype was built and tested in 1915.
The DB two-seat fighter utilized the efficient Walfisch (Whale) fuselage configuration of the JM model which endowed the gunner, who sat ahead of the pilot, with a broad forward field of fire. A two-bay biplane, the DB was powered by a water-cooled engine, carried a single flexible machine gun on a ring mounting in the forward cockpit, and underwent trials in September 1915.
The DB underwent an intensive technical investigation through the Royal Marine Marine-Landflugzevg-Abnahme-Kommission (Marine Landplane Inspection Commission) situated in Berlin-Johannisthal.
Although the general recommendation of the investigation team supported the introduction of this unique type, a production order was never signed. Egwin Leiber felt that the effort required to implement all the required technical changes was too enormous. Therefore, Germania Flugzeugwerke decided to stop any further development of this type.
Germania DB Specifications
Engine: 180 hp Argus As.III
Wing: Span 8.78 m
General: Weight, Empty 720 kg
Armament: one 7.9 mm machine gun
