Friedrichshafen FF.29

FF.29
A German postcard of a FF.29 having beaching trolleys installed underneath its floats
General information
TypeMaritime reconnaissance floatplane
ManufacturerFlugzeugbau Friedrichshafen
Primary userImperial German Navy
Number built49
History
Introduction dateDecember 1914
First flightNovember 1914
Developed fromFriedrichshafen FF.19

The Friedrichshafen FF.29 was a maritime reconnaissance floatplane built for the Imperial German Navy's (Kaiserliche Marine) Naval Air Service (Marine-Fliegerabteilung) that was produced by Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen during World War I. The aircraft entered service in November 1914, mostly conducting maritime patrols over the North Sea and the English Channel, and played a small role in the Raid on Cuxhaven the following month. A FF.29 became the first aircraft to be transported by a submarine when it was used in experiments in January 1915. In May an emergency landing by a FF.29 was the cause of the action off Noordhinder Bank when German forces were searching for the floatplane when they encountered a superior British force. The aircraft was also involved in developing methods of controlling artillery fire from the air.

FF.29s were interned by both Denmark and the Netherlands, both of which were neutral powers during World War I. The Danes built five copies for their own use.