Sablatnig SF-1

The Sablatnig SF-1 was a reconnaissance seaplane built in Germany during the First World War.[1]

SF-1
Role Reconnaissance seaplane
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Sablatnig
Designer Josef Sablatnig
First flight 1915
Primary user Imperial German Navy
Number built 1

Development

It was a conventional two-bay biplane with staggered wings of unequal span and a fuselage of particularly sleek design.[2] 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.[2]

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.[2] It was finally accepted into active naval service a full two years later, in October 1917.[3] Although accepted for service with the Imperial German Navy, only the prototype was built, and no production order was forthcoming.[2][3]

Operators
 Germany
SVK (Seeflugzeug Versuchs Kommando – "Seaplane Testing Command")

Specifications

Data from Kroschel & Stützer 1994, p.135

General 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
  1. Taylor 1989, p.787
  2. Nowarra 1966, p.78
  3. Gray & Thetford 1962, p.538

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.
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