Austro-Hungarian Fliegerarsenal Fischamend Aircraft Serials

[Apophenia]

I could have sworn that a clipping had been posted showing Fischamend serials somewhere. I intended to flesh-out the listing in that mystery clipping to make it searchable. But, now, I can't find it ...

Anyway, first up is some background on Fischamend activities and serials ...

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7 - (Fd) = Fischamend; k.u.k. Fliegerarsenal Flugzeugfabrik Fischamend
- Sometimes given as k.u.k. Fliegerwerft Fischamend

As its title suggests, the k.u.k. Fliegerarsenal or Flugzeugfabrik Fischamend was a unit of the Austro-Hungarian army - not a corporate entity. However, construction of complete airframes began quite early at Fischamend. The term 'Flugzeugfabrik' was needed to distinguish airframe manufacture and what would now be called MRO work from other aviation-related activities at Fischamend - including training military maintenance personnel, aviation research (including a propeller wind tunnel), etc.

In many ways, the k.u.k. Fliegerarsenal was distinct. However, for designator style, it also seems to have been unique in applying its assigned airframe maker abbreviation - (Fd) - to rebuilt (and often re-roled) airframes as opposed to only to its own production types.

Aircraft production in Fischamend began in 1912 with Etrich Taube copies

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The k.u.k. Fliegerarsenal Flugzeugfabrik at Fischamend

The earliest Fischamend prototypes were Erich Taubes - mainly Typ B and Typ F Taubes built at the Lohner-Werke. [1] Because these aircraft took part in military manoeuvres, these were also known as 'Manöver Taubes'. Lohner began delivering Taubes to the Luftschifferabteilung in the Summer of 1911.

By 1913, the so-called 'Manöver Taubes' were also being constructed at the k.u.k. Fliegerarsenal Flugzeugfabrik at Fischamend ... albeit, as unlicensed copies. Fischamend also produced dedicated Taube trainer types. The Taube S (or SchulTaube) had tandem seating (with the instructor seated to the rear. [2] The Taube X was more substantially modified to accommodate side-by-side seating in a wider fuselage.

Initially, the Luftschifferabteilung assigned each Taube with a distinct name. The Typ Bs received a random assortment of names. The Typ F were given names startin with the letter A. Later, Typ Fs were also assigned 'hull numbers' prefixed by the letter F.

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[1] These aircraft are sometimes referred to as MLG Lohner-Etrich-Taube. This unwieldy construction results from Igo Etrich having sold the Austro-Hungarian rights to his Taube monoplane to Camillo Castiglioni's Motor-Luftfahrzeug-Ges.mbH (or MLG). However, Castiglioni came to a greement with Ludwig Lohner whereby the Lohner-Werke would continue to build Taubes which MLG could then market and take a sales commission on.

[2] For aerodynamic reasons, that rear compartment could be sealed off when the SchulTaube was scheduled for a student's solo flight.

 

[Apophenia]

K.u.k. Fliegerarsenal Flugzeugfabrik Fischamend Prototypes

In February 1915, the Luftschifferabteilung began applying a new serial system (which would be inherited by its replacement organisation - the k.u.k. Luftfahrtruppen - established in June of 1915). As noted elsewhere, this new system assigned major airframe suppliers with code numbers - '7' in the case of the k.u.k. Fliegerarsenal Flugzeugfabrik at Fischamend.

As was practice, airframe serial numbers (Flugzeugnummern) with a zero following the supplier code number were reserved for prototypes and trials airframes. For Fischamend, 10 x '70' series Flugzeugnummern are recorded (including two reuses of earlier numbers). And this is where the serial oddities occur. Those early series '70' series numbers were applied to refurbished Typ B and Typ F Taubes - regardless of whether the airframe had originally been built by Lohner or at Fischamend.

These 70 series prototype Flugzeugnummern were retroactively applied to Taubes after February 1915. [1] Sources conflict somewhat on what prompted this re-serialling. Most claim that it followed refurnishment or modernisation of these 2-to-4 year old airframes. However, that seems highly unlikely since mods and repairs for re-roling followed less than 2 months later.

More likely, the 70 series re-serialling was simply a bureaucratic exercise to move away from the increasingly impractical assignment of individual names to each airframe.

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[1] This makes sense in a way. Each Taubes had, essentially, been hand-made - with variations built into virtually every airframe. In that sense, each Taube was a prototype.
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Fischamend '70' Series Prototypes

70.01 = (First usage) Etrich Taube Typ B 'Condor'
-- Lohner-built Taube; delivered Summer 1911
-- Refurbished/updated Feb 1915 as A.I(Fd) 70.01
-- Repaired/modified April 1915 as A.II(Fd) 72.35
- 70.01: Feb 1915 desig.; modernised April 1915

70.01 = (2nd usage) Knoller DD; Knoller D.I prototype
70.01 = (II) Knoller DD; Knoller D.I fighter prototype
- 70.01 (II): Single-seat unstaggered biplane fighter
- 70.01 (II): 1 x 230 hp Hiero 6N 6-cyl.; span 8.00 m
- 70.01 (II): Flew 23 Nov 1917; damaged June 1918*
-- * Transfered to Fruba, Vienna, for repair work [1]

70.02 = (First usage) 1911 Etrich Taube Typ B 'Falke'
-- Lohner-built Taube; delivered Summer 1911
-- Refurbished/updated Feb 1915 as A.I(Fd) 70.02
-- Repaired/modified April 1915 as A.II(Fd) 72.37

70.02 = (2nd usage) Knoller DD; second Knoller D.I
- 70.02 (II): Single-seat unstaggered biplane fighter
- 70.02 (II): 1 x 230 hp Hiero 6N 6-cyl.; span 8.00 m
- 70.02 (II): Partially-finished; transfered to Fruba*
-- * Due to work load; Fruba finished 70.02 Sept 1918

70.03 = 1913 Etrich 'SchulTaube' S.III; trainer
-- Unlicensed 1913 Fischamend-built Taube
-- Refurbished/updated Feb 1915 as A.I(Fd) 70.03
-- Written-off in training accident (date?)

70.04 = Etrich Taube X IV; 2-seat trainer
-- Fischamend-built; side-by-side 2-seat trainer
-- Refurbished/updated Feb 1915 as A.I(Fd) 70.04
-- Etrich Taube X IV 70.04 written-off Nov 1915

70.05 = 1913 Etrich 'SchulTaube' S.V; trainer
-- Unlicensed 1913 Fischamend-built Taube
-- Refurbished/updated Feb 1915 as A.I(Fd) 70.05
-- Repaired/modified May 1915 as A.II(Fd) 72.38

70.06 = Etrich Taube X III; 2-seat trainer
-- Fischamend-built;* side-by-side 2-seat trainer
-- * Although some source claim as Lohner-built
-- Side-by-side seating (unclear if dual control)
-- Delive. 1913; refurb. Feb 1915 as 70.03; w/o

70.07 = (??) no details [2]
70.08 = (??) no details

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[1] By the Summer of 1918, Fischamend was overloaded with work and unable to perform the needed repairs on 70.01 or even to complete construction of the second prototype, 70.02. Instead, both projects were transferred to Sigmund Jaray's MRO facility in Vienna - the Flugzeug Reparatur und Bau Anstalt (or Fruba). Fruba finished 70.02 in Sept 1918 but, it seems that flight tests never began. Had such trials been successful, it was intended that an order for 10 x pre-series fighters was to be placed with Fruba.

Knoller D.I development ended with the armistice. But doubts may have already emerged. A former associate of Prof. Knoller, ing Julius Kolin had become a designer for Fruba. There, Kolin designed an undesignated biplane fighter powered by a 150 hp Le Rhône(St) rotary. In many ways, the Kolin fighter was the opposite of the heavier Knoller D.I. Kolin's design was lightweight and eliminated as much steel as possible in the structure - making maximum use of Fruba's woodworking skills. A prototype was completed but, as with 70.02, service trials were stopped by the armistice.

[2] Serials 70.07 and 70.08 are mentioned on page 112 of Die Flugzeuge Der K.U.K. Luftfahrtruppe Und Seeflieger 1914-1918 (Hauke, Schroeder, Tötschinger; Weishaupt, Gnas; 1988) but without any other details provided.

 

[Apophenia]

Fischamend Bauart '7x' Production Series

The Fischamend Bauart 71 and 72

As noted above, after February 1915, surviving Luftschifferabteilung Etrich Taube airframes had been retroactively serialled as prototypes attributed to the k.u.k. Fliegerarsenal Flugzeugfabrik at Fischamend. Thereafter, most of those 'prototype' airframes were refurbished at the Fliegerarsenal and, in some cases, further modified to suit the training role. [1] All Taubes still in Luftschifferabteilung service became Etrich A.I(Fd)s - regardless of their original manufacturer. The Bauart number assigned to the Etrich A.I(Fd) was 71.

Fischamend Bauart 71 - Etrich A.I(Fd) Taube
- Bauart 71: Reserialled Lohner & Fd Taubes
- Bauart 71: 1 x 90 hp Austro Daimler; span 14.00 m
- Bauart 71: 3-longeron, triangle-section fuselage
-- 71.01 - 71.10: Bauart 71 conversions (see list below)

Full sequence of Bauart 71 airframes was (original name followed by Flugzeugnummer): 'Aar' 71.01; 'Achilles' 71.02; 'Albus' 71.03; 'Ajax' 71.04; 'Anita' 71.05; 'Aram' 71.06; 'Arnim' 71.07; 'Atair' 71.08; 'Anny' 71.09; and 'Afra' 71.10.

Shortly after this re-serialling, it was decided to re-role all surviving Taubes as trainers. To fill this requirement, surviving Bauart 71 airframes would be refurbished/modified - at least 9 x conversions being completed in March-July 1915. Of those early airframes re-serialled as Bauart 72, four were refurbished Typ B Taubes. [2] The other conversions were of Typ F Taube airframes. [3]

The Fliegerarsenal would also recommence limited Taube production to the same standard to make up any shortfall. Regardless of whether a refurbished Bauart 71 type or a completely new airframe, all Taubes would now be re-serialled as Bauart 72. The Bauart 72 conversions officially became Etrich A.II(Fd) Taubes. So too were the 66 x new-build Bauart 72 airframes constructed at Fischamend.

Fischamend Bauart 72 - Etrich A.I(Fd) Taube
- Bauart 72: New-production + Bauart 71 conv.
- Bauart 72: 1 x 90 hp Austro Daimler;* span 14.00 m
-- 72.01 - 72.75: Bauart 71 conversions (see list below)
-- * Alternatives: 85 hp Hiero or 65 hp Austro Daimler

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[1] A few Taubes had been purpose-built as side-by-side 2-seaters. But most Taube trainers (and conversions) had tandem cockpits with the instructor seated to the rear.

[2] Typ B conversions included: 'Condor' 70.01 which became 72.35, 'Falke' 70.02 becoming 72.37 in April 1915; S.V 70.05 becoming 72.38 in May 1915; and X-III 70.06 becoming 72.33.

[3] Typ F conversions included: 'Aar' 71.01 which became 72.42 in July 1915; 'Achilles' 71.02 became 72.32 in March 1915; 'Aram' 71.06 became 72.43 in July 1915; 'Arnim' 71.07 became 72.34 in March 1915; and 'Afra' 71.10 became 72.36.

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The Fischamend Bauart 73 and 74

The Bauart 73 and 74 were another mixed-bag of refurbished and new-build Lohner Pfeilflieger 2-seat recce biplanes. The k.u.k. Luftfahrtruppen divided the relevant biplanes into the base type B.I and the B.II which was tweaked for mountain-flying.

Fischamend Bauart 73 - Lohner B.I Pfeilflieger
- Bauart 73: Repair/refurbished + new-production
- Bauart 73: 1 x 90 hp Austro Daimler; span 13.40 m
-- 73.01 - 73.25: Lohner B.I(Fd) rebuilds; ex-11.01 to 11.25
-- 73.26 - 73.34: Lohner B.I(Fd) new-builds; total = x 34

Fischamend Bauart 74 - Lohner B.II Pfeilflieger
- Bauart 74: Repair/refurbished + new-production
- Bauart 74: 1 x 85 hp Hiero 6E 6-cyl.; span 13.40 m
-- 74.01 - 73.45: Lohner B.II(Fd) rebuilds; ex-12.01 to 12.47
-- 74.48 - 74.53: Lohner B.II(Fd) new-builds; total = x 53

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Fischamend Brandenburgs - Bauart 75 to 279

Fischamend Bauart 75 - Brandenburg B.I recce biplane
- Bauart 75: Based on Hansa-Brandenburg Modell LDD
- Bauart 75: Repair/refurbished + new-production
- Bauart 75: 1 x 100 hp Mercedes D.I 6-cyl.; span 13.13 m
-- 75.01-75.18: New-build Brandenburg B.I(Fd)s; total = x 18
-- 75.51-75.61: Refurbished Brandenburg B.I(Br)s; total = x 10

Fischamend Bauart 75 - Brandenburg B.I biplane trainers
- Bauart 75: Based on Hansa-Brandenburg Modell LDD
- Bauart 75: Refurbished/conversions + new-production
- Bauart 75: 1 x 100 hp Mercedes D.I 6-cyl.; span 13.13 m
- Bauart 75: Single-control trainers
-- 75.01-75.18: New-build Brandenburg B.I(Fd)s; total = x 18 [1]
-- 75.51-75.61: Refurbished Brandenburg B.I(Br)s; total = x 10

Fischamend Bauart 76 - Brandenburg B.I biplane trainer
- Bauart 76: New-production; single- or dual-controls
- Bauart 76: 1 x 100 hp Mercedes D.I 6-cyl.; span 13.13 m-
-- 76.01-76.99: New-build Brandenburg B.I(Fd)s; total = x 99

Fischamend Bauart 176 - Brandenburg B.I biplane trainer
- Bauart 176: New-production; single-control trainers
- Bauart 176: 1 x 100 hp Mercedes D.I 6-cyl.; span 13.13 m
-- 176.01-176.99: New-build Brandenburg B.I(Fd)s; total = x 99

Fischamend Bauart 77 - Brandenburg B.I biplane trainer
- Bauart 77: New-production; higher-powered trainers
- Bauart 77: 1 x 120 hp Austro Daimler AD6; span 13.13 m
-- 77.01-77.91: New-build Brandenburg B.I(Fd)s; total = x 91

Fischamend Bauart 78 - Brandenburg B.I biplane trainer
- Bauart 78: New-production; improved Bauart 77
- Bauart 78: 1 x 120 hp Austro Daimler AD6; span 13.13 m
-- 78.01-78.51: New-build Brandenburg B.I(Fd)s; total = x 51

Fischamend Bauart 178 - (Project) Brandenburg B.I
- Bauart 178: 1 x 120 hp Austro Daimler AD6; span 13.13 m
-- 178.01: Brandenburg B.I(Fd) pre-prod. prototype; none built

Fischamend Bauart 278 - Brandenburg B.I biplane trainer
- Bauart 278: Improved Bauart 78 pre-prod. prototypes
- Bauart 278: 1 x 120 hp Austro Daimler AD6; span 13.13 m
-- 278.01-278.03: New-build Brandenburg B.I(Fd)s; total = x 3

Fischamend Bauart 79 - Brandenburg B.I biplane trainer
- Bauart 79 : Hiero-powered Bauart 78 derivatives
- Bauart 79 : 1 x 145 hp Hiero 6N 6-cyl. AD6; span 13.13 m
-- 79.01-79.13 : New-build Brandenburg B.I(Fd)s; total = x 13 [2]

Fischamend Bauart 179 - (Project) Brandenburg B.I trainer
- Bauart 179: 1 x 145 hp Hiero 6N 6-cyl. AD6; span 13.13 m
-- 179.01: Brandenburg B.I(Fd) pre-prod. prototype; none built

Fischamend Bauart 279 - (Project) Brandenburg B.I trainer
- Bauart 279: 1 x 145 hp Hiero 6N 6-cyl. AD6; span 13.13 m
-- 279.01: Brandenburg B.I(Fd) pre-prod. prototype; none built [3]

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[1] NB: Fischamend had previously modified 49 x Oeffag-built recce biplanes into single-control trainers but those Brandenburg B.I(Fd)s would retain their Oeffag serials.

[2] Wiki claims that 21 x Bauart 79 Brandenburg B.I(Fd)s were built.

[3] Wiki claims that 49 x Bauart 279 Brandenburg B.I(Fd)s were built.

 

[hesham]

Amazing work as usual my dear Apophenia,

and from old Polish site.

 

[Apophenia]

...
and from old Polish site.

Interesting that your clipping lists Bauart 176 as "ex 76.100". That makes it sound as if there were bigger differences between the Ba 76 and Ba 176 than just the controls set up. I wonder what those changes were?