Sablatnig SF-5

The Sablatnig SF-5 was a reconnaissance seaplane produced in Germany during the First World War.^[1]

SF-5 and SF-6
Role	Reconnaissance seaplane
National origin	Germany
Manufacturer	Sablatnig, LFG, LVG
First flight	1917
Primary user	Imperial German Navy
Number built	91

Design and development

Designed to meet a specification by the Imperial German Navy for a higher-powered replacement for the Sablatnig SF-2s then in service, the SF-5 was a very similar aircraft other than in its choice of engine.^[2][3] The first batch (serials 968–987) were delivered between January and May 1917, built in the Navy's HFT classification (unarmed reconnaissance aircraft equipped with wireless transmitter and receiver).^[2] They were followed by two further batches (1224–1233 and 1352–1371) between July and September.^[2] LVG built the type under licence as a trainer aircraft without any radio equipment, delivering 20 aircraft (1017–1036 and 1214–1223) during the second half of 1917.^[2] LFG produced the type in the BFT category (unarmed reconnaissance aircraft equipped with wireless transmitter but not receiver), building ten examples (1459–1468) between September 1917 and February 1918.^[2] Sablatnig also produced a single BFT-configured aircraft in February 1918.^[2]

Operational history

These machines served widely with seaplane stations throughout the North Sea and Baltic Sea.^[2] The SF-5 was generally disliked by its aircrews, who dubbed it the "Lame Crow" on account of its poor banking and climbing performance and general sluggishness.^[2] Crews found that the supposed cruising speed of production examples was in fact their top speed.^[2] Some SF-5s perhaps saw action as bombers against Russian forces, but even those flying reconnaissance missions were easy prey for Russian fighters.^[2] At least two SF-5s were captured by the Russians and put to use by them.^[2]

A single SF-5 was fitted with wheeled undercarriage salvaged from another aircraft.^[2] Designated SF-6 by the factory, and assigned the designation B.I by the Idflieg, it was intended to be a landplane trainer, but was not selected for production.^[4]

Operators

Germany

• Imperial German Navy

 Turkey

• Ottoman Air Force

Specifications

Data from Kroschel & Stützer 1994, p.156

General characteristics

• Crew: Two, pilot and observer
• Length: 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
• Wingspan: 17.30 m (56 ft 9 in)
• Height: 3.55 m (11 ft 8 in)
• Empty weight: 1,052 kg (2,314 lb)
• Gross weight: 1,605 kg (3,531 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Benz Bz.III , 110 kW (150 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 145 km/h (93 mph, 81 kn)
• Rate of climb: 1.4 m/s (282 ft/min)