Aviatik C Series
The Aviatik C.I was an observation aircraft which came into service during World War I in April 1915. It was the successor to the Aviatik B.I and B.II models. In the C.I the observer sat in front of the pilot, with two machine-guns, mounted on rails on each side of the observer's cockpit, which gave the crew the means to attack enemy aircraft. The positions of the pilot and observer were reversed in the C.Ia version. Later models of the plane included the Aviatik C.II and the C.III, which had more powerful engines. The C.III was produced in large numbers.
Variants
- C.1 : Mostly a B.II derivative produced in Austria by Ö-UFA.
- C.1a : Reversed pilot and observer positions.
- C.II : This model was powered by a 149 kW (200 hp) Benz Bz.IV engine. it was not produced in quantity.
- C.III : It was a 1916 refinement which was operated until 1917. This type was derived from the C.Ia, with the same engine, but was significantly smaller (the wing lost 8 m²). It weighed 100 kg more and was faster. Although only produced in small series, this improved aerodynamics model was very popular with its crews for its maneuverability and armament: a rear Parabellum machine gun and a synchronized LMG 08/15 available to the pilot.
- Aviatik C.V : Not built in series, this two-seat reconnaissance biplane had an upper "seagull" wing and a 180 hp Argus As III engine.
- Aviatik C.VI : License version of the DFW C.V, not related to the previous aircraft.
- Aviatik C.VIII : 1917 reconnaissance biplane with a 160 hp Mercedes D.III engine. Not built in series.
- Aviatik C.IX : Reconnaissance biplane with a 200 hp Benz engine of which 2 prototypes were built in 1918.
An unexpected derivative
A C.I (or C.II) fell into the hands of the Russian Army in 1916 and served as a base for the development of the Anatra D.
Operators
- Austria-Hungary : KuKLFT.
- German Empire : Luftstreitkrafte.
- Kingdom of Yugoslavia : Royal Yugoslav Air Force - Postwar.
- Romania : Royal Romanian Air Force - Postwar.
- Switzerland : Swiss Air Force.
A museum exemplar
On 20 May 1916, a C.I (W.Nr 832/C.227/16) was shot down at 2 km off Nieuwpoort on the Belgian coast. This aircraft was brought back on the beach with the tide and recovered by the Belgian army. Preserved at the Brussels Royal Army Museum, this unique exemplar is currently under restoration.
— — — = = — — —
(Parts of this text stay aircraftube.com©´s property, before they are integrated into Wikipedia).