O.Thetford, P.Gray German Aircraft of the First World War (Putnam)
Albatros Dr II
Built in 1918, the Dr II consisted mainly of D X components with a triplane set of wings. These were of parallel chord, heavily staggered and braced with very wide I struts reminiscent of the Sopwith triplane. Ailerons were fitted to all wingtips. Frontal-type radiators were mounted in the centre-section between the upper and centre wings, and undoubtedly caused considerable drag. Engine, 195 h.p. Benz lVb vee-eight. Span, 10.0 m. (32 ft. 9 3/4 in.). Length, 6.18 m. (20 ft. 3 1/4 in.). Height, 3.34 m. (10 ft. 11 1/2 in.). Area, 26.6 sq.m. (287.28 sq.ft.). Weights: Empty, 676 kg. (1,487 lb.). Loaded, 915 kg. (2,013 lb.).
W.Green, G.Swanborough The Complete Book of Fighters
ALBATROS Dr II Germany
The Dr II was, in effect, a triplane variant of the D X biplane with a similar 195 hp Benz Bz IIIbo engine. Ailerons were fitted to all wings, and these, of parallel chord and heavily staggered, were braced by broad I-struts. Armament consisted of two 7,92-mm machine guns, and the sole prototype of the Dr II was flown in the spring of 1918.
Empty weight, 1,490 lb (676 kg).
Loaded weight, 2,017 lb (915 kg).
Span, 32 ft 92/3 in (10,00 m).
Length, 20 ft 3 1/3 in (6,18 m).
Wing area, 286.32 sq ft (26,6 m2).
J.Herris Albatros Aircraft of WWI. Vol.4: Fighters (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 27)
Albatros Dr.II
The Albatros Dr.II was ordered near the end of Idflieg’s triplane craze to test the new 195 hp Benz Bz.IIIb V8 in a triplane configuration and was completed in April 1918. After the engine was installed in May flight trials began immediately in
order to ready the aircraft for the Second Fighter Competition, but the Dr.II did not appear at the competition. Flight trials continued into mid-July, then the airframe was sent to Adlershof for static load testing and disappears from the records.
Albatros Fighter Specifications
Dr.I Dr.II
Engine 160 hp Mercedes D.III 195 hp Benz Bz.IIIbm
Span (All) 8.7 m 10.0 m
Chord (All) - 1.00 m
Gap (All) - 1.00 m
Stagger (All) - 0.37 m
Wing Area - 26.6 m2
Length 7.3 m 6.18 m
Height 2.42 m 3.34 m
Empty Weight - 676 kg
Useful Load - 239 kg
Loaded Weight - 915 kg
Wing Loading - 34.4 kg/m2
Power Loading - 4.7 kg/hp
Notes: Both to be armed with two machine guns. Track of Dr.II 1.76 m.