Aviatik B

The Aviatik B series, produced by the German firm Aviatik between 1914 and 1916, was among the first purpose‑built reconnaissance aircraft of World I. Developed from the earlier unarmed two‑seat pusher types, the B.I and its successors B.II and B.III featured a conventional tractor layout with a 120 hp Austro‑Daimler inline engine driving a two‑blade wooden propeller. The airframe employed a welded steel tube fuselage, fabric‑covered wings of equal span, and a fixed tailskid undercarriage, giving the type a sturdy yet lightweight construction. Pilot and observer sat in tandem open cockpits, the latter equipped with a flexible Parabellum MG14 for defensive fire, marking the transition from purely observational to lightly armed platforms. The B’s respectable ceiling of 4,500 m and range of 500 km made it valuable for artillery spotting, photographic missions, and liaison duties on the Western Front. Although quickly superseded by faster, more powerful C‑type aircraft, the Aviatik B demonstrated the practical utility of dedicated two‑seat scouts and contributed to the evolution of German aerial doctrine, influencing later designs such as the DFW C.V and the iconic Albatros C.I. Its legacy endures as a milestone in early military aviation.