Lohner Type M

Windsock Datafile 127
By George Haddow
Albatros Publications, ©2008
ISBN 1-902207-97-1
Softbound, 32 Pages

Reviewed by Chris Banyai-Riepl

With popular stories about Richthofen and Udet in Germany, Fonck and Guynemer in France, and Mannock and Collishaw in Britain, the origins of the First World War are often lost. The only reason that Germany, France, and England were involved in that war was due to those nations following alliances and treaties, some secret, with those nations involved at the beginning: Austria-Hungary and Serbia. While the aircraft of those other countries have received ample coverage, the aircraft of Austria-Hungary have only recently been given their due. The author of this title, George Haddow, has done some excellent research on Austro-Hungarian flying boats, with this title presenting his latest efforts.

The Lohner Type M got its start back before the war, with Lohner’s chief engineer Karl Paulal finishing design work in 1913. A key difference of this flying boat and previous designs was the hull, which had a longer, more pointed shape. This greatly improved the sea handling of the type. An aerodynamically clean engine nacelle, complete with pointed spinner, also gave the Lohner Type M a distinctive look. When war broke out in 1914, the Type M was outfitted with the capability to carry fifty kilograms of bombs. With that armament, the Type M performed anti-shipping missions as well as reconnaissance missions, with some remaining in service as long as 1917.

For such a limited production aircraft (only fifteen were built), this book has a great number of photos to go along with the well written text. There is not much in the way of color variation, as all of these were finished in clear doped linen wings with a varnished wood fuselage, but the differences in markings is remarkable. Many of the over 70 photos are printed large; often only two to a page, which allows detailed analysis by the reader. Additionally, there is the usual high-quality scale drawings included in the centerfold, drawn by the author. Finally, the back cover has three Type M flying boats rendered in color profile illustrations by our own Bob Pearson.

This title is a welcome addition to the growing reference material on Austro-Hungarian aircraft, and on flying boats of the First World War. My thanks to Albatros Publications for the review copy. Visit their website for ordering information.