Oertz FB 3

The Oertz FB 3, conceived and built by German designer Max Oertz in the early 1920s, was a pioneering light fighter‑bomber that illustrated the transition from wartime biplanes to sleek monoplane concepts. First flown in 1923 at the Johannisthal aircraft works, the FB 3 incorporated a cantilever low‑wing layout, an all‑metal airframe and a powerful 300 hp BMW IIIa inline engine that gave it a top speed of 240 km/h. Its innovative features included retractable landing gear – a rarity at the time – and a fully enclosed cockpit with dual controls, allowing both pilot and observer to operate the aircraft. Armament consisted of two synchronized 7.9 mm machine guns and a modest bomb rack for up to 50 kg of ordnance, making it versatile for reconnaissance, ground‑attack and limited dogfighting missions. Although only a handful were produced before the programme was cancelled due to budget cuts and the Versailles restrictions, the FB 3 left a lasting impression on German aeronautical engineering. Its aerodynamic refinements and structural solutions directly influenced later designs such as the Heinkel He 51 and the early Messerschmitt fighters, marking the Oertz FB 3 as an important stepping stone in interwar aviation development.

Max Oertz

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification