B 1508 - What type of aircraft was it?

[Teo]

Hi,

I am trying to find out the type of this machine, please see the picture attached. For sure the number is B 1508 According to this number, what was the machine? And - if this can be found out - in which unit did it serve? Thanks in advance!

An early unarmed L.V.G. C-type of some sort (I think).

regards

[wingstrutdotcom]

I think this is an LVG BII training machine. It appears it may be a ground loop training accident at a training airfield late winter perhaps 1915/16. I note another aircraft in the background so this does appear to be near an airfield.

The machine probably has downswpet exhaust on starboard side which is why you see no exhaust. 120hp Merc.

[Teo]

Sorry, I should have added more information.

This indeed must be an airfield, on the Balkans.
But Bulgarian or German? Or mixed?

In a Bulgarian book about the aircraft of Bulgaria, found a picture of a LVG on Bulgarian service, it has a very close number - B 1510! Here it is, announced to be a LVG C.II with a Parabellum for the pilot and a Madsen MG for the observer....

But need to add, that found information, that 6 LVG B.II were delivered to Bulgaria in November 1915 and used on the Balkan front. At that time, were the LVG armed??



And one more thing to add, on the pictures from the airfield managed to spot one more number on such aircraft - B 1503

Ok now, let me add one more question: what is the difference between LVG B and LVG C? Can the difference be spotted on pictures of these aircraft or is not that significant?

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Teo:
The LVG.B.II was powered with 120 Ps Mercedes D.II engine. the LVG B.II was first purchased in 1915. The 1914 100 Ps Meceredes D.I powered LVG B.I was bought in quantity until the first order for 50 LVG.B.II, s/n B705 to 794/15. A second order for 100 LVG.B.II s/n B.1000 to 1099/15. The third order was for 100, first part, 40 LVG.B.II, s/n B.1471 to 1510/15. (Your photo from this order.) second part, 60 LVG.B.II 1560 to 1619/15. The LVG B types were without armament.
The difference between the LVG B.II and the LVG.C.I was the airframe was refinded and larger and had 150 Ps Benz BzIII engine.
The LVG.C.II was a further refinement of the airframe and was smaller than the LVG.C.I. The LVG.C.II was powered with the 160 ps Mercedes D.III engine. The LVG C. types had one Parabellum Modell 14 for the observer.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

What color were these planes?

[Teo]

Thank you very much Dan, this is great information!!!!

So far the picture becomes more and more clear! The numbers B1503, 1508 and 1510, these are LVG B.II, from the series of 12 machines, delivered to Bulgaria. 6 came in November 1915, the rest - in 1916. They were the first WWI military aircraft of the Bulgarian AF, became its base, they were used very actively for reconaissance missions. Germans are seen on the pictures, but simply they were mixed - both AFs operated from the Balitza, Ksanty, Levunovo and Udovo airfields. That is why the crew of the LVG /isn't it?/ below is German, while the men at the Albatros B.I /isn't it?/ on the lower picture are Bulgarians.

Well, that's the story the way I gather it from the available bits and pieces, may be wrong, especially for the aircraft type on the pictures below IMHO LVG B.I upper and Albatros B.I lower

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Top Gun56;
With the fabric somewhat dark and in contrast to the white crossfields, tells me this machine was covered with with unbleached linen fabric, clear doped and varnished to waterproof the fabric. The cowlings are natural aluminum. The struts appear to be painted dark grey.
Blue skies,
Dan-San