1921 - Libelle I - Small Flying Boat
Libelle I, a high-wing monoplane of all metall design, had the rear wing sections and the control services covered with fabric. The intrinsically stable hull with several bulkheads and a transverse step was equipped with the well-proven Dornier sponsons. Installation of small skids on the hull bottom allowed the take-off and landing on ice surfaces. Three seats were located in the centre of the hull, two in front and side by side equipped with dual controls, with the third seat behind those. The wing consisted of two halves connected to the wing centre section and braced against the hull by means of two struts each.
The novelty of this design was the foldable wing to ensure small space requirements during transport and hangarage. The aircraft was powered by a five cylinder Siemens radial engine rated at 55 HP and installed on a nacelle located on the rigid centre wing section. Fuel was delivered by a wind driven pump from the tank in the hull to a gravity tank behind the engine. The hull tail was equipped with a rigid tail unit with one piece rudder and elevator.
First flight on 16 August 1921.
Technical Data
| Length | 7,2 m |
| Height | 2,3 m |
| Wing span | 8,5 m |
| Width with wing halves folded back | 3,2 m |
| Wing area | 14,0 m² |
| Powerplant five-cylinder Siemens | 55 PS |
| Empty weight | 400 kg |
| All-up weight | 650 kg |
| Maxium speed | 120 km/h |
| Cruise speed | 100 km/h |
| Service ceiling | 1600 m |
| Passagiere Crew/passengers | 3 |
