- Source: Sablatnig SF-1
The Sablatnig SF-1 was a reconnaissance seaplane built in Germany during the First World War.
Development
It was a conventional two-bay biplane with staggered wings of unequal span and a fuselage of particularly sleek design. The pilot and observer sat in open cockpits in tandem, and the undercarriage consisted of twin pontoons braced to the underside of the fuselage and to wings.
Operational history
Sablatnig delivered the SF-1 prototype to the SVK (Seeflugzeug Versuchs Kommando – "Seaplane Testing Command") in October 1915 under the naval serial number 490. It was finally accepted into active naval service a full two years later, in October 1917. Although accepted for service with the Imperial German Navy, only the prototype was built, and no production order was forthcoming.
Operators
Germany
Imperial German Navy Air Service
SVK (Seeflugzeug Versuchs Kommando – "Seaplane Testing Command")
Specifications
Data from Kroschel & Stützer 1994, p.135General characteristics
Crew: Two, pilot and observer
Wingspan: 19.10 m (62 ft 8 in)
Height: 4.35 m (14 ft 3 in)
Empty weight: 1,015 kg (2,233 lb)
Gross weight: 1,650 kg (3,630 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.III , 120 kW (160 hp)
Performance
Maximum speed: 125 km/h (78 mph, 68 kn)
Rate of climb: 1.7 m/s (328 ft/min)
Notes
References
Gray, Peter; Owen Thetford (1962). German Aircraft of the First World War. London: Putnam.
Herris, Jack (2015). German Seaplanes of WWI: Sablatnig, Kaiserliche Werften, Lübeck-Travemünde, LTG, & Oertz: A Centennial Perspective on Great War Seaplanes. Great War Aviation Centennial Series. Vol. 15. n.p.: Aeronaut Books. ISBN 978-1-935881-27-8.
Kroschel, Günter; Helmut Stützer (1994). Die Deutschen Militärflugzeuge 1910–1918. Herford: Verlag E.S. Mittler & Sohn.
Nowarra, Heinz J. (1966). Marine Aircraft of the 1914–1918 War. Letchworth, Harts: Harleyford Publications.
Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.