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

Albatros W 2
   Intended for armed patrol duties, the W 2 utilised the basic fuselage and wing cellule of the C III, although the centre-section strut arrangement and installation of the 160 h.p. Mercedes D III engine differed somewhat. The considerable increase in upper fin area is also noticeable. Most notable feature of this aircraft was the extremely clean and simple float chassis, but it is doubtful if it was sufficiently rugged. Only a single example (Marine No. 450) was supplied, in June 1916, armed with manually operated Parabellum machine-gun in rear cockpit.

J.Herris Albatros Aircraft of WWI. Vol.3: Bombers, Seaplanes, J-types (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 26)

Albatros W.2

   The Albatros W.2 was a reconnaissance floatplane derived from the C.III airframe. Powered by a 160 hp Mercedes D.III engine, the W.2 had a flexible gun for the observer; unlike the C.III, the pilot did not have a fixed gun. A single W.2, Marine Number 450, was ordered in December 1915 and delivered in June 1916. No further production was undertaken and no details are available.
   The W.2 was a clean-looking design derived from a successful land reconnaissance type, so would seem to be a serious candidate for production. Perhaps its simple float undercarriage was not robust enough compared to its Friedrichshafen counterparts.


Albatros Seaplane Specifications
Type W.1 W.2 W.3 W4 MN747 W4 (948-967) W.5 W.8
Engine 150 hp Benz Bz.III or 160 hp Mercedes D.III 150 hp Benz Bz.III 2x150 hp Benz Bz.III 160 hp Mercedes D.III 160 hp Mercedes D.III 2x150 hp Benz Bz.III 195 hp Benz Bz.IIIb
Span 14.3 m 10.0 m 22.7 m 9.50 m 9.50 m 22.7 m 11.46 m
Length 8.56 m 8.2 m 13.1 m 8.50 m 8.50 m 13.1 m 9.59 m
Wing Area 43.0 m2 31.4 m2 - 31.0 m2 - 100 m2 -
Empty Weight - 935 kg. - 709 kg 784 kg 2,263 kg -
Flying Weight - 1,215 kg - 989 kg 155 km/h 3,665 kg -
Maximum Speed - 176 km/h 133 km/h 155 km/h 160 km/h 133 km/h 150 km/h
Climb to 1,000m - - - - 5.5 min. 20.0 min. 6.5 min.
Climb to 2,000m - - - - 8.5 min. -
Climb to 3,000m - - - - 23 min. - 34 min.
Duration - - - - - 4 hours 3.5 hours
Guns None 1 gun 1 gun 1 gun 2 guns 1 gun 1-2 fixed guns + 1 flexible gun


Albatros W.1-W.8 Seaplane Production
Aircraft Number Built Marine Numbers
Albatros W.2 1 450