The AEG C.IV was a two-seat biplane reconnaissance aircraft designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Allgemeine Elektrizitäts-Gesellschaft.
The C.IV was developed from the earlier AEG C.II in response to an urgent requirement from the Luftstreitkräfte (Imperial German Army Air Service) for better fixed-wing aerial reconnaissance platforms. Featuring a relatively short fuselage in comparison to its wingspan, it appeared somewhat ungainly. The aircraft's structure was largely composed of steel tubing; uncommon features of the design included a distinctive 'bite' on the trailing edge of the wing on production aircraft, and the three-position adjustable tail plane incidence. To accelerate production, the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker were ordered to produce the C.IV under license.
Entering service with the Luftstreitkräfte during 1916, the C.IV promptly proved itself to be a capable aircraft. In addition to performing reconnaissance missions, it was also used as a bomber escort, despite being inadequately powered for this role. Several variants, including the C.IV.N and the C.IVa, were developed. It continued to be operated by the Luftstreitkräfte through to the end of the conflict. In addition to its use by the German Empire, the C.IV also drew the attention of other nations, both the Turkish Flying Corps and Polish Air Force would operate numerous aircraft while other nations, such as Belgium, evaluated the type. It saw extensive combat use during the Polish-Soviet War of 1919-1920 prior to being withdrawn for good during the early 1920s.
Design and development
By 1916, a growing number of senior officers within the Luftstreitkräfte (Imperial German Army Air Service) were advocated for greater emphasis to be placed upon aerial reconnaissance, noting both its value and the increased capability for such missions that the production of a new generation of purpose-build reconnaissance aircraft could bring to Germany's war effort.
The design of the C.IV was heavily derived from the earlier AEG C.II, the most visually obvious differences being the new aircraft's enlarged wingspan and the adoption of an additional forward-firing Spandau-type 7.92 mm (.312 in) machine gun. It had a relatively short fuselage that gave it a somewhat ungainly appearance.
In order to achieve a sufficient rate of production, multiple companies were engaged in the programme. The Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker were ordered to produce the C.IV under license, despite the alleged dissatisfaction of the company's founder, Anthony Fokker.
The C.IV was easily the most successful of AEG's First World War-era B- and C-type reconnaissance aircraft, roughly 687 were reportedly built while the model remained in service right up to the end of the conflict. Various initiatives were undertaken towards improving the aircraft. One variant that was developed in 1917, the C.IV.N, was designed specifically as a prototype night bomber; it was outfitted with the Benz Bz.III engine used in other C-types along with a lengthened wingspan. Another variant, the C.IVa, was powered by a 130 kW (180 hp) Argus As III engine.
A large number of 91 C.IVs were captured by the Polish in 1919, the majority of them having been in Poznań during the Greater Poland Uprising.
Operators
thumb|AEG C.IVN
;: Bulgarian Air Force
;: Luftstreitkrafte
;: Hejaz Air Force - single example, not airworthy
;: Polish Air Force - up to 91 aircraft, used postwar