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The Fokker B.I was an Austro-Hungarian designation allocated to forty Fokker M.7 and M.10 aircraft, ordered early in the First World War. The two aircraft were visually similar, with the same wings and very similar fuselages, and were both powered by an 80hp Oberursel engine.
The first Austro-Hungarian order for Fokker M.7s was placed in September 1914, before the aircraft was actually in service. The first aircraft arrived in January-February 1915, gaining the B.I designation in February. This order was followed by one for twelve Fokker M.10s, again placed while the aircraft itself was under development. Finally, another four M.7s and twelve M.10s were ordered during 1915.
The Fokker B.I was used as a light reconnaissance aircraft, serving in the Balkans with Flik (Fliegerkompanie) 6, but was soon withdrawn because it could not cope with the high mountains of Montenegro. During 1915 it was also used on the Eastern Front by Flik 14 and Flik 2 and the Isonzo Front by Fliks 4, 8, 12 and 19. Its last front line users were Flik 16 at Kärnten and Flik 17 in the Tirol. After that the aircraft was used as a trainer with the replacement units, and remained in use into the summer of 1918.
B.I (M 7) Series 03
Span: 38.39ft
Length: 23.62ft
Engine: 80hp Oberursel
Max Speed: 81mph
Climb to 3,300ft: 8 minutes
Climb to 6,600ft: 15 minutes 30 seconds
B.I (M 10) Series 03
Span: 37ft 1in
Length: 24ft 7in
Engine: 80hp Oberusral
Max Speed: 81mph
Rate of climb: 6,600ft in 25 minutes