AEG B

The AEG B was a pioneering German reconnaissance biplane produced by the electrical and engineering firm AEG during the early years of World War I. First flown in early 1915, the aircraft emerged from AEG’s effort to diversify beyond its well‑known electrical products and to contribute to the rapidly expanding Luftstreitkräfte. Powered by a 120 hp Mercedes D.II inline engine, the AEG B featured a conventional two‑seat, equal‑span biplane layout with wooden frame and fabric covering, a fixed tailskid undercarriage and a modest 150 km/h top speed. Its open cockpit offered excellent visibility for the observer, who operated a simple, forward‑firing machine gun and a hand‑held camera for mapping missions. Although lacking the later armament and performance of the C‑type successors, the AEG B proved reliable for short‑range scouting and artillery spotting on the Western Front. The type’s straightforward construction facilitated rapid production, with roughly 140 units built before being superseded in 1917. In aviation history, the AEG B illustrates the transition from civilian engineering firms to wartime aircraft manufacturers and underscores the early development of dedicated military reconnaissance platforms. Today a few restored examples are displayed in German aviation museums, reminding enthusiasts of AEG’s brief but impactful foray into aircraft design.