Aviatik C.I - WikiHQ

The Aviatik C.I was an observation aircraft designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Aviatik. It was the first aircraft produced by the company to be mass-produced as well as one of the first German military aircraft of the First World War to become fairly well known amongst the general public of the era.

It was a development of the Aviatik B.I and B.II models, being one of first aircraft of the new German C class of armed biplanes. On the C.I, the observer sat in front of the pilot; this arrangement was unique amongst the C class, which opted to place the pilot in the forward position instead. There was only a single aircraft completed of the refined C.Ia version in May 1916, with armament still in a forward cab, serving as a prototype for the C.III. In response to demands for greater performance, Aviatik developed several derivatives of the aircraft, including the Aviatik C.II and the C.III, which were equipped with more powerful engines and various refinements, although the airframes would typically have little modification. 548 Aviatik C.I were built in total: 402 by Aviatik (including 51 trainers and 1 C.Ia) and 146 by Hannover.

Design and development

Prior to the outbreak of the First World War, the German aircraft manufacturer Aviatik had built up a favourable relationship for its early aircraft. This plate, in conjunction with the first two formers, supported the engine bearers, which were further braced sing steel tubing. The engine was surrounded by curved aluminium panels, although the cylinder block remained exposed; aluminium sheeting also covered the sides and underside of the nose while the majority of the fuselage was covered by fabric.

The wings were rectangular, covered with fabric, and comprised all-wood construction except for the compression struts, which were made of steel tubing.

During 1916, in response to military demands for superior performance, Aviatik developed the improved C.III.

;C.III

:The C.III was a 1916 refinement which was operated until 1917.

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General characteristics

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|crew= Two

|length m= 7.925

|length note=

|span m= 12.5

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|height m= 2.95

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|wing area sqm= 43

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|empty weight kg= 750

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|gross weight kg= 1,340

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Powerplant

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|eng1 number= 1

|eng1 name= Mercedes D.III

|eng1 type= six-cylinder water-cooled in-line piston engine

|eng1 kw= 119

|eng1 note=

|prop blade number= 2

|prop name= fixed-pitch propeller

|prop dia m=

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Performance

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|max speed kmh= 142

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|endurance= Three hours

|ceiling m= 3,500

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|time to altitude= in 12 minutes

|wing loading kg/m2= 31.2

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Armament

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|guns= 1x Parabellum MG14 mounted on cockpit side rails

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References

Citations

Bibliography

External links

July 14, 2011 1915 Wrecked Aviatik C.I postcard