Germany - 1915 Aviatik C.I

Germany's Aviatik

Germany produced a wide variety of C-class Reconnaissance aircraft. They differed from the B-class in the fact they were armed with machine guns for the observer to defend the plane from attackers The C-class was used in a variety of roles from photo reconnaissance, artillery spotting and ad hoc bombers.The C-class served throughout the remaining war and evolved into different mission specific aircraft, such as ground attack planes and night bombers.

Aviatik C.I a - 1915

This is an example of the C.Ia which switched the position of pilot and observer to what we consider the normal arrangement. It was powered by a Mercedes D III 6 cylinder water cooled in-line engine, producing 160 hp (119 kW).

Aviatik C.II - 1915

The C.II was not produced in great numbers. It was an interem design which became the C.III which was built in larger numbers. Both the C.III and C.III were powered by a Benz Bz. IV 6 cylinder water cooled in-line engine generating 200 hp (149 kW).

Overview

The Aviatik C.I was a German World War I observation aircraft built by Automobil und Aviatikwerke AG, which first came into service in September 1915 . It was the successor to the Aviatik B.I and B.II models. It was powered by a Mercedes D III 6 cylinder water cooled in-line engine, producing 160 hp (119 kW). Armament consisted of a single flexible mounted 0.312 in (7.92 mm) Parabellum MG14 machine gun,. The observer sat in front of the pilot in this model which limited the gunner's field of fire. However, the opportunity was presented for more aggressive aircrews to take an increased offensive approach in engaging enemy aircraft. The positions of the pilot and gunner were reversed in the C.Ia version. Later models, the C.II and C.III were produced in large numbers and were fitted with the more powerful Benz Bz. IV 6 cylinder water cooled in-line engine generating 200 hp (149 kW).

References

1. van Wyngarden, G. "Early German Aces of World War 1". Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2006, p.6. ISBN 1-84176-997-5
2. Taylor, Michael J H. "Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation". Portland House, 1989, p.88. ISBN 0-517-69186-8
3. Gray, Peter and Thetford, Owen. "German Aircraft of the First World War". London: Putnam, 1962, pp.62—63.