DFW B.II

The DFW B.II, produced in the early 1910s by German aircraft builder Heinrich Oelerich, was a two‑seat reconnaissance biplane that played a modest yet notable role in the development of military aviation during World War I. Designed as an evolution of the earlier DFW B.I, the B.II featured a strengthened wooden frame, slightly larger wingspan of 12.5 metres and a more powerful 100‑horse‑power Mercedes D.II inline engine, which gave it a top speed of around 120 km/h and improved climb performance. Its open cockpit accommodated a pilot and an observer, the latter equipped with a flexible mounting for a 7.92 mm Parabellum machine gun, marking one of the first steps toward armed observation aircraft. Though produced in limited numbers—approximately 30 airframes—the B.II saw service on the Western and Eastern fronts, providing valuable aerial photography, artillery spotting and liaison duties. The aircraft’s simple construction and reliable handling made it a training platform for novice pilots, influencing later DFW designs such as the C‑type series. Consequently, the DFW B.II is remembered as a transitional model that helped bridge the gap between unarmed scouts and fully armed combat aircraft in early aviation history.

Heinrich Oelerich

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