Albatros B . II The Albatros B . II was an unarmed German two - seat reconnaissance biplane of the First World War . Design and development . Designed by Ernst Heinkel based on his 1913 Albatros B . I , the B . II was the aircraft that brought the aircraft manufacturer Albatros Flugzeugwerke to the world ' s attention . The B . II had a shorter wingspan than the B . I and used a variety of engines up to 89 kW ( 120 hp ) . In 1914 it set an altitude record of 4 , 500 m ( 14 , 800 ft ) . The seating arrangement was not ideal ; the pilot occupied the rear cockpit , the observer sat in front over the wings which greatly reduced his downward view while the protruding engine block almost completely obscured the view over the nose . When Albatros developed the armed C . I based on their B - series , the seat positions were swapped so that the observer / gunner had a better view and clear field of fire . A floatplane variant of the B . II was developed , known as the W . 1 or B . II - W , as was a purpose - built trainer with increased wingspan and different engines , designated the B . IIa . Further developments led to the Albatros B . III , which was produced in small numbers . Operational history . First flying in 1914 , large numbers of the B . II were built and , though it was relegated from front - line service in 1915 following the introduction of the armed C - type two - seaters , the B . II remained in service as a trainer until 1918 and was still operated by the Swedish Air Force in 1919 and by the Polish Air Force during the Polish - Soviet war of 1920 . Service in Sweden . In 1914 , the German manufacturer Albatros - Flugzeugwerke GmbH of Berlin - Johannisthal , was touring several countries in northern Europe , displaying their new aircraft , the Albatros B . IIa . At the time , it was considered one of the best primary trainer aircraft . However , the landing gear and propeller were damaged when it arrived in Sweden . Due to the outbreak of World War I , no spares could be sent , and the aircraft was interned . It was repaired and used as a trainer by the Swedish Air Force . This aircraft was later copied and manufactured in Sweden by six different aircraft companies : " Svenska Aeroplanfabriken " ( SAF ) , " Södertelge Werkstäder " ( SW ) , " Marinens Flygväsende " ( MFV ) , " Nordiska Aviatikbolaget " ( NAB ) , AB Thulinverken and " Flygkompaniets Verkstäder Malmen " ( FVM ) . It was the first military trainer aircraft in Sweden and received the designation Sk 1 and Ö2 in the Swedish Air Force ( the two types differed slightly , mainly by choice of engine ) . An FVM - built Sk 1 Albatros is on public display in the Swedish Air Force Museum near Linköping . The type was being used until 1935 . One aircraft was later sold to Finland . Service in Finland . NAB Albatros Type 9 ( and SW 20 Albatros ) , Type 12 and Type 17 were among the first aircraft of the Finnish Air Force . It was in use between 1918 and 1923 . There were two Type 9s , and one each of the Type 12 and 17 . There was also one SW 20 Albatros , which was similar to the Type 9 . The Type 12 aircraft was destroyed in the ferry flight to Finland ; the remains of the aircraft were found near Eckerö , Åland .