Hansa-Brandenburg L14

The Hansa‑Brandenburg L14 was a reconnaissance and trainer biplane built by Hansa‑Brandenburg during the last phase of World War I. First flown in late 1917, it derived from the earlier L12 and L13 types, keeping the square‑canted wing bays and wooden frame while receiving a more powerful 120 hp Mercedes D.II inline engine. Its two‑seat, open cockpit accommodated a pilot and observer with basic instrumentation, a wireless set, and a flexible 7.92 mm Parabellum machine gun. The short, staggered wings provided good low‑speed handling and a low stall speed, making the aircraft useful for artillery spotting and pilot instruction. Only a few were produced before the armistice, but the L14 served with the Austro‑Hungarian Luftfahrtruppen and later with emerging post‑war air units in Central Europe. Performance figures included a top speed of about 160 km/h, a service ceiling near 4,500 m, and a range of roughly 350 km, competitive for secondary aircraft of the time. Today a few restored examples are displayed in European museums, highlighting a design that linked wartime combat to peacetime training. The L14’s straightforward construction and reliable handling made it a useful template for later interwar trainer designs across the region.

Hansa-Brandenburg

Hansa-Brandenburg L14

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification