В.Обухович, А.Никифоров Самолеты Первой Мировой войны

Инженер Эдмунд Румплер свои конструкторские навыки развивал работая в крупных автомобильных и моторостроительных компаниях ("Адлер", "Даймлер"). Увлекшись авиацией, он в 1908 г. организовал компанию "Эдмунд Румплер Люфтфарцойгбау". Позже название компании неоднократно менялось. Первые сконструированные им самолеты напоминали французские монопланы "Антуанетт". В 1910 г. после знакомства с австрийским создателем оригинальных самолетов "Таубе" И. Этрихом Румплер организовал на заводе производство его машин. При этом в конструкцию "Таубе" было внесено множество доработок: менялось крыло, шасси, фюзеляж, система управления. К 1914 г. был разработан тип 4С, у которого лишь крыло напоминало о его "предках". Параллельно с 4С был создан и бипланный вариант 4А, принятый на вооружение кайзеровской армии под индексом ВI. В то время шеф-пилотом компании стал будущий авиаконструктор Гельмут Хирт.
   Компания Румплера одной из первых в Германии (в 1913 г.) начала строить гидросамолеты, причем с перспективным двухпоплавковым шасси, и летающие лодки (4Е). На поплавки устанавливались серийные машины - "Таубе" и ВI, а позже СI (5A2).
   В 1916 г. на основе задания флота на одноместный гидроистребитель сопровождения был построен самолет 6В. За основу была взята конструкция СI. Двигатель Мерседес D.III был хорошо закапотирован. Всего было произведено 88 машин.
   Самолеты летали на Черном и Северном морях и проливе Ла Манш. На бельгийском побережье они укрывались в бетонных ангарах, откуда к морю их на специальных площадках отвозил паровоз. На воду машины спускали краном. Выпущено несколько самолетов в варианте 6B-2, отличавшихся формой оперения.
   По конструкции 6В был в основном деревянным с деревянными двухреданными поплавками. Из стальных труб были выполнены поперечный набор фирменного фюзеляжа, рама оперения, стойки шасси. Носовая часть фюзеляжа обшивалась фанерой, все остальное - полотном.


Технические данные Румплер 6В
  
Двигатель 1 х Мерседес D.III (160 л. с.)
Размеры:
   размах х длина 12,20 х 9,05 м
Площадь крыльев 36 м2
Вес:
   пустого 790 кг
   взлетный 1140 кг
Максимальная скорость 153 км/ч
Потолок 5000 м
Продолжительность полета 4 ч
Вооружение:
   пулеметное 1 х 7,62-мм синхронный пулемет "Шпандау"
Экипаж 1 чел.

O.Thetford, P.Gray German Aircraft of the First World War (Putnam)

Rumpler 6B 1
   This single-seat seaplane of 1916 was developed from the Rumpler C I and was used for seaplane station defence purposes. Construction was identical to that of the C I. A later version, known as the 6B 2, differed only in having the wing-nut profile tailplane of the C IV. Navy Numbers allotted: 6B 1 751, 787 788, 890 899, 1037 1061. 6B 2 1062-1066, 1188-1207, 1434-1458. Engine, 160 h.p. Mercedes D III. Span, 12.20 m. (40 ft. 0 3/8 in.). Length, 9.05 m. (29 ft. 8 3/8 in.). Height. 3.5 m. (11 ft. 5 7/8 in.). Area, 36 sq.m. (389 sq.ft.). Weights: Empty, 790 kg. (1,738 lb.). Loaded, 1,140 kg. (2,508 lb.). Endurance, ca. 4 hr. Armament, one fixed Spandau machinegun.

W.Green, G.Swanborough The Complete Book of Fighters

RUMPLER 6B 1 Germany

   The first essay in the single-seat fighter category by Rumpler was a twin-float seaplane intended for both offensive patrol and seaplane station defence. Assigned the company designation 6B 1, the fighter was a derivative of the highly successful 5A 2 (C I) two-seat general-purpose biplane, possessing a fundamentally similar structure and retaining the 160 hp Mercedes D III engine. The two-bay wing cellule was also retained, but a modest stagger was applied, the rear cockpit was discarded and armament comprised a single synchronised 7,9-mm LMG 08/15 machine gun. The largest of five single-seat float fighter prototypes ordered in June 1916 for evaluation by the Marine-Flieger, the 6B1 entered production after acceptance of three prototypes during July-August 1916. Forty series aircraft followed between November and May 1917, production continuing with the 6B 2 of which 50 had been delivered when the programme terminated in January 1918. The 6B 2 differed in comparatively minor respects, the most visible modification being use of the tailplane of ‘‘wing-nut” form of the C IV. The following data relate to the 6B 1 in standard form.

Max speed, 84 mph (135 km/h) at sea level.
Time to 9,840 ft (3000 m), 25 min.
Range, 342 mis (550 km).
Empty weight, 1,742 lb (790 kg).
Loaded weight, 2,513 lb (1140 kg).
Span, 39 ft 10 1/3 in (12,15 m).
Length, 29 ft 8 1/3 in (9,05 m).
Height, 11 ft 5 3/4 in (3,50 m).
Wing area, 384.28 sq ft (35,70 m2).

J.Herris Rumpler Aircraft of WWI (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 11)

Rumpler 6B1 & 6B2

   The Rumpler 6B1 (known to the Navy as the Rumpler ED) was derived from the successful Rumpler C.I two-seat reconnaissance aircraft. The weight of the floats was compensated for by elimination of the observer and his equipment, and the upper wing was moved forward to compensate for the forward shift in center of gravity. Like the Rumpler C.I and Albatros W4, the 6B1 was powered by a 160 hp Mercedes D.III. The 6B1 retained the C.I's single fixed gun for the pilot. The prototype, Marine #751, was delivered to the seaplane testing command on 7 July 1916. After testing it was accepted on 10 August, and the first production batch of ten fighters was ordered on 14 August, followed by a further batch of 25 fighters.

Rumpler 6B2

   The Rumpler 6B1 was followed in production by the improved 6B2 that had the ability to mount two machine guns. The 6B2 also had refined aerodynamics derived from later production Rumpler C.IV aircraft that gave it greater speed; specifically the spinner was replaced by a rounded nose. Three production batches totaling 50 aircraft were ordered in early 1917. However, production was slow; the first aircraft were delivered a full ten months after being ordered, and only about half were fitted with two guns, the others mounting a single gun. Production data and other information about use suggest that by the time the 6B2 was ready, the Navy strongly preferred two-seat seaplane fighters, reducing the urgency for the 6B2 and other single-seat fighters. The 6B2 therefore saw limited operational service and was mostly used for training. Four 6B2 aircraft were sold to the Austro-Hungarian Navy, which assigned them serial numbers E1-E4.
  
Rumpler 6B1 & 6B2 Production
Marine Numbers Qty Notes
751, 787-788 3 Prototypes, C.I tailplane
890-899 10 First 6B1 production, C.IV tailplane
1037-1061 25 Second 6B1 production
1062-1066 5 6B2 pre-production
1188-1207 20 First 6B2 production
1434-1458 25 Second 6B2 production

J.Herris German Seaplane Fighters of WWI (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 2)

Rumpler 6B1 & 6B2

   The Rumpler 6B1 (known to the Navy as the Rumpler ED) was derived from the successful Rumpler C.I two-seat reconnaissance aircraft. The weight of the floats was compensated for by elimination of the observer and his equipment, and the upper wing was moved forward to compensate for the forward shift in center of gravity. Like the Rumpler C.I and Albatros W4, the 6B1 was powered by a 160 hp Mercedes D.III. The 6B1 retained the C.I's single fixed gun for the pilot. The prototype, Marine #751, was delivered to the seaplane testing command on 7 July 1916. After testing it was accepted on 10 August, and the first production batch of ten fighters was ordered on 14 August, followed by a further batch of 25 fighters.


Rumpler 6B2

   The Rumpler 6B1 was followed in production by the improved 6B2 that had the ability to mount two machine guns. The 6B2 also had refined aerodynamics derived from later production Rumpler C.IV aircraft that gave it greater speed; specifically the spinner was replaced by a rounded nose. Three production batches totaling 50 aircraft were ordered in early 1917. However, production was slow; the first aircraft were delivered a full ten months after being ordered, and only about half were fitted with two guns, the others mounting a single gun. Production data and other information about use suggest that by the time the 6B2 was ready, the Navy strongly preferred two-seat seaplane fighters, reducing the urgency for the 6B2 and other single-seat fighters. The 6B2 therefore saw limited operational service and was mostly used for training. Four 6B2 aircraft were sold to the Austro-Hungarian Navy, which assigned them serial numbers E1-E4.


Rumpler 6B1 & 6B2 Production
Marine Numbers Qty Notes
751, 787-788 3 Prototypes, C.I tailplane
890-899 10 First 6B1 production, C.IV tailplane
1037-1061 25 Second 6B1 production
1062-1066 5 6B2 pre-production
1188-1207 20 First 6B2 production
1434-1458 25 Second 6B2 production

E.Hauke, W.Schroeder, B.Totschinger Die Flugzeuge der k.u.k. Luftfahrtruppe und Seeflieger 1914-1918

Kampfflugboote
E 1 Rumpler 6B2 Dt. Marinenummer 1188 Merc 160
E 2 Rumpler 6B2 Dt. Marinenummer 1189 Merc 160
E 3 Rumpler 6B2 Dt. Marinenummer 1190 Merc 160
E 4 Rumpler 6B2 Dt. Marinenummer 1191 Merc 160