AEG C.IV

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AEG C.IV
AEGC4.jpg
Role Reconnaissance aircraft
Manufacturer Allgemeine Elektrizitäts-Gesellschaft
Introduction 1916
Primary user Luftstreitkräfte
Number built 170+[1]

The AEG C.IV was a German two-seat biplane reconnaissance aircraft that entered service in 1916. The C.IV was based on the AEG C.II, but featured a larger wingspan and an additional forward-firing Spandau-type 7.92 mm (.312 in) machine gun. In addition to reconnaissance duties, the C.IV was used as a bomber escort, despite proving itself inadequately powered for the role. Nevertheless, the C.IV was easily the most successful of AEG's World War I B- and C-type reconnaissance aircraft, with some 400 being built and the model remained in service right up to the end of the war.[1]

A variant, the C.IV.N was designed specifically as a prototype night bomber in 1917, with the Benz Bz.III engine used in other C-types and a lengthened wingspan. Another variant, the C.IVa, was powered by a 130 kW (180 hp) Argus As III engine.[1]

C.IV aircraft saw service with the Bulgarian Air Force and the Turkish Flying Corps.

Operators

 Bulgaria
Bulgarian Air Force
 German Empire
Luftstreitkrafte
 Poland
Polish Air Force - Around 64 aircraft operated post-war.
 Turkey
Ottoman Air Force

Specifications (AEG C.IV)

Data from German Aircraft of the First World War[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 7.15 m (23 ft 5 in)
  • Wingspan: 13.46 m (44 ft 2 in)
  • Height: 3.35 m (11 ft 0 in)
  • Wing area: 39 m2 (420 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 800 kg (1,764 lb)
  • Gross weight: 1,120 kg (2,469 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.III 6-cylinder, water-cooled, inline piston engine, 120 kW (160 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 158 km/h (98 mph; 85 kn)
  • Range: 450 km (280 mi; 243 nmi)
  • Endurance: 4hr
  • Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,404 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 2.78 m/s (547 ft/min)
  • Time to altitude: 1,000m in 6min

Armament

  • Guns: * 1 × forward-firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) LMG 08/15 "Spandau" machine gun
  • 1 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) Parabellum MG14 machine gun in ring mount for observer
  • Bombs: * Bomb load up to 100 kg (220 lb)

See also

Related development

References

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Further reading

  • Kroschel, Günter; Stützer, Helmut: Die deutschen Militärflugzeuge 1910-18, Wilhelmshaven 1977
  • Munson, Kenneth: Bomber 1914–19, Zürich 1968, Nr. 20
  • Nowarra, Heinz: Die Entwicklung der Flugzeuge 1914-18, München 1959
  • Sharpe, Michael: Doppeldecker, Dreifachdecker & Wasserflugzeuge, Gondrom, Bindlach 2001, ISBN 3-8112-1872-7