Albatros Productions, Ltd

Windsock Datafile 119 Hansa Brandenburg W.13

by  George Haddow

Reviewed By  Brian R. Baker, IPMS# 43146

MSRP: 12.50 GBP This series is devoted to obscure but significant aircraft of the World War I period, an area that has long been neglected by aviation historians. This is No. 119 in the series, and is up to the standard of quality that I have seen in previous issues. The Aircraft The Hansa Brandenburg W.13, a design originating with Ernst Heinkel, was rejected by the German Kriegsmarine, but the plane was accepted by and produced by several manufacturers in Austria-Hungary for the Austro-Hungarian Kriegsmarine during 1917 and 1918. The number actually produced is listed as 130 delivered, and nearly all were used operationally in the Adriatic Sea region against the Italians, a number falling prey to Italian fighters and anti-aircraft units. Some were delivered without engines due to shortages, and a few were destroyed in a fire. The W.13 was a relatively large, single engine, multi-seat biplane flying boat of wooden construction. The engine was an Austro-Daimler 350 hp. water-cooled 12 cylinder Vee engine with a two bladed wooden propeller. Incidentally, Ferdinand Porsche was involved in the engine's design and development. The aircraft used a unique method of bomb stowage, which is shown in the photographs. In service the W.13 was used as a bomber and attack aircraft, and several were captured intact by Italian forces, their crews being made POWs. An interesting sidelight is the fact that one W.13, K-405, was given to the Americans postwar as reparations, and this aircraft was sent to the Naval Aircraft Factory at Philadelphia, being subsequently disassembled and thoroughly examined by American engineers, during which time excellent detail photos were made of assemblies and subassemblies. Later, the aircraft was reassembled and test flown in U.S. Navy markings before being scrapped in 1922. The Book The book consists of 32 pages plus four cover pages, all packed with photos, drawings, and information. All color is on the front and rear covers, and includes an excellent painting of a W.13 in flight, and three useful color profiles on the rear cover. The development of the aircraft is described in detail, and includes information on the design, production, combat use, engine development, colors and markings, and detailed information about the color profiles. Six pages of three view drawings are provided, four devoted to 1/48 scale, and two to 1/72. If you unstaple the 1/48 sheet, which is in the center, it will serve as a plan, while the 1/72 scale drawing then becomes the centerfold. Interesting idea! In addition, a detailed front and side view of the engine is presented. At the end, some footnotes give additional information. A major feature of this book is the photographs. Not only are standard photos included, but some rare in-flight shots are produced, along with a large number of detail photos taken at the Naval Aircraft Factory showing the aircraft in various stages of disassembly. Many of the photos have people around the airplanes, giving a good size relationship effect to the pictures. Since the Italians managed to capture several aircraft intact, they made lots of photos, and these too are included. Recommendation If you are interested in obscure but significant aircraft of the World War I period, this book is worth getting. I don't know if there is a kit available of this plane in any scale, but the book provides enough information if you should want to scratch build one in either 1/72 or 1/48 scale. Don't pass this one up. Get one while you can. Price is BP 10.50 at bookstores or BP 12.50 from the publishers, including post/pack. Thanks to Albatros Productions, Ltd, 10 Long View, Chiltern Park Estate, Berkhamstead, Herts, HP4 1BY for the review copy. Email is mail@www.windsockdatafilesspecials.com

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