Hansa-Brandenburg W.29

Evolved from the W.12 two-seat patrol fighter biplane in parallel with the W.27, the W.29 was essentially a monoplane derivative of the former powered, in prototype form, by the 195hp Benz Bz Illbo eight-cylinder Vee engine. The span and chord of the monoplane wing approximated in area to the biplane wings of the W.12, and the wing itself was a two-spar wooden structure with fabric skinning. The 150hp Benz Bz III six-cylinder inline water-cooled engine was standardised for the production model of the W.29, which began operations with the German Navy in April 1918. Over 150 W.29s are known to have been delivered to that service in two basic versions, one equipped with radio and fitted with a single synchronised 7.92mm LMG 08/15 machine gun plus a Parabellum on a flexible mount in the rear cockpit, and the other having two forward-firing LMGs and lacking radio equipment. The W.29, operating from Zeebrugge, Borkum and Norderney, achieved considerable operational success during the closing stages of World War I. In 1921, licence production of the W.29 was initiated by the Danish naval dockyard, 15 being built and these continuing in Danish Navy service until 1931.

W.Green, D.Swanborough "The Complete Book of Fighters", 2000

3-View

A three-view drawing (1634 x 1300)