LVG C.II
LVG C.II | |
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Although mislabeled as an Albatros C.III in the Bundesarchiv photo collection this is in fact an LVG C.II. Note the Bergman machine gun in the rear gunner's turret. | |
Role | reconnaissance/light bomber |
National origin | Germany |
Manufacturer | Luft-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft |
Introduction | late 1915 |
Primary user | Luftstreitkräfte |
Number built | approx. 300 |
Developed from | LVG B.I |
The LVG C.I was a 1910s German two-seat reconnaissance biplane designed by Luft-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft for the Luftstreitkräfte.
Development
The C.II was developed from the LVG B.I, with the pilot and observer positions reversed, adding a ring-mounted machine gun to the rear. The increase in weight required a larger engine, the Benz Bz.III. Few C.I's were built before the C.II was introduced. It incorporated structural improvements and a more powerful engine.[1]
Operational history
The C.II was the first fixed-wing aircraft to bomb London, when six bombs were dropped near Victoria station on 28 November 1915.[1] (The first air raid on London was by the Zeppelin LZ 38, in the early hours of 1 June 1915.)
Variants
- LVG C.I - initial design, 120 kW (160 hp) Benz Bz.III engine.
- LVG C.II - production version.
- LVG C.III - single experimental aircraft, observer and machine gun moved to front.
- LVG C.IV - slightly larger, 160 kW (220 hp) Mercedes D.IV engine.
Operators
Specifications (C.II)
Data from Donald, David, The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft (pg 553). (1997). Prospero Books. ISBN 1-85605-375-X
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: 2
- Length: 8.10 m (26 ft 7 in)
- Wingspan: 12.85 m (42 ft 2 in)
- Height: 2.93 m (9 ft 7.25 in)
- Wing area: 37.60 m2 (404.74 ft2)
- Empty weight: 845 kg (1,863 lb)
- Gross weight: 1,405 kg (3,097 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.III, 119 kW (160 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 130 km/h (81 mph)
- Endurance: 4 hours
- Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,125 ft)
Armament
- 1 × flexible 7.92 mm (.312 in) Parabellum MG14 machine gun
- 1 × fixed, forward-firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) LMG 08/15 machine gun (later production aircraft)
- up to 60 kg (130 lb) of light bombs
See also
- Related lists
List of military aircraft of Germany
Notes
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to LVG C.I. |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to LVG C.II. |
- Donald, David, The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft (pg 553). (1997). Prospero Books. ISBN 1-85605-375-X
- van Wyngarden, G (2006). Early German Aces of World War I, Osprey Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84176-997-5
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