On this day 15 January - a submarine and a plane walk into a ...

[7eat51]

On the 15th of January 1915, the German submarine, SM U-12, departed from Zeebrugge, Belgium, with an armed Friedrichshafen FF.29 seaplane strapped to its foredeck. The intended destination was the English coast, but once the submarine, captained by Kapitanleutnant Walther Forstmann, passed the breakwater and entered open waters, Forstmann realized that the swell was too dangerous for the plane. He ordered the submarine to submerge, enabling the plane’s pilot, Friedrich von Arnauld de la Perière, to float the FF.29 off the deck and to take off. Once airborne, the German pilot flew the plane along the English coast, safely returning to Zeebrugge.

Walther Forstmann



Friedrichshafen FF.29

The German Imperial Navy utilized the FF.29, produced by Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen, to conduct coastal patrols and reconnaissance missions. She performed the first bombing raid on British soil (Dover), taking place on the 24th of December 1914, a month after the FF.29 entered service. A Mercedes D.II, 90 kW (120 hp) inline piston engine powered the 1,400 kg (3,086 lb – gross weight) two-seater. She had a wingspan of 16.30 m (53ft 6in), and length of 10.40 m (34ft 1in).

References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SM_U-12_(Germany)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrichshafen_FF.29
http://www.navalofficer.com.au/carriersub/

[Blackronin]

Thanks again Eric for your wonderful finds.
One has to wonder the capability of Humanity to be war creative.

[7eat51]

One has to wonder the capability of Humanity to be war creative.

As they say, "Necessity is the mother of invention."

[Nightbomber]

Very innovative for those times. Thanks for that find, Eric.

[Oberst Hajj]

Can you imagine being the first person to fly one of those across the Channel

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

Now there's a scenario in the offing.

[Jager]

Can you imagine being the first person to fly one of those across the Channel

At least it has floats
Karl

[Doug]

Now there's a scenario in the offing.

To right Neil. Let me think 10mm U Boat from Pendraken...............

[gully_raker]

I notice Forstmann has a nice array of medals including the Blue Max.
Must google him for more info!

[csadn]

Can you imagine being the first person to fly one of those across the Channel :eek:

The first man to fly across the English Channel in an airplane did it in a full-landplane: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Bl%C3%A9riot .... ;)

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Now there's a scenario in the offing.

Do Shapeways do an FF 29 Neil?

Rob.

[clipper1801]

How did I miss this?

[Naharaht]

That was an interesting 'find', Eric.

[Jager]

Ah, the necrothreaders cast their spell again
Who knows what lurks deep in the 'Drome's crypts

Karl