Sablatnig SF-8

The Sablatnig SF-8 was a training seaplane produced in Germany during the First World War.^[1] While Sablatnig's previous designs for the Imperial German Navy had often seen service as trainers, the SF-8 was purpose-built for this role, at Dr Sablatnig's suggestion.^[2] The SF-8 was similar to the firm's earlier designs: a conventional two-bay biplane with staggered wings of unequal span, with open cockpits in tandem.^[2]

SF-8
Role	Seaplane trainer
National origin	Germany
Manufacturer	Sablatnig
First flight	1918
Primary user	Imperial German Navy
Number built	At least 3 (out of 33 ordered)

Operational history

The Navy ordered three machines for evaluation (serials 2020–2022) in 1917, which were delivered on 17 January the following year.^[3] After evaluation at Warnemünde proved favourable, the Navy ordered the type into production, placing an order for 30 machines and allocating serial numbers 6001–6030 to the batch.^[2] It is unclear how many of these were produced or delivered before the end of the war.^[2]

Specifications

Data from Kroschel & Stützer 1994, p.165

General characteristics

• Crew: Two, pilot and instructor
• Length: 10.20 m (33 ft 6 in)
• Wingspan: 16.00 m (52 ft 6 in)
• Height: 3.80 m (12 ft 6 in)
• Empty weight: 1,183 kg (2,603 lb)
• Gross weight: 1,574 kg (3,465 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Benz Bz.III , 110 kW (150 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 130 km/h (81 mph, 70 kn)
• Rate of climb: 1.1 m/s (223 ft/min)