AEG C.IV

AEG C.IV
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.

Design and development

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.

A big number of 91 C.IVs were captured by the Polish in 1919, most in Poznań during Greater Poland Uprising.[2] Most of them were next assembled and entered service. It became one of basic aircraft of the Polish Air Force, used for reconnaissance, bombing and strafing during Polish-Soviet War in 1919-1920. Most were withdrawn in 1921.[2]

Operators

AEG C.IVN
 Bulgaria
Bulgarian Air Force
 German Empire
Luftstreitkrafte
 Poland
Polish Air Force - up to 91 aircraft, used postwar[2]
 Turkey
Ottoman Air Force

Specifications (AEG C.IV)

AEG C.IV

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

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

Related development

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Gray, Peter; Owen Thetford (1970). German Aircraft of the First World War (2nd ed.). London: Putnam. ISBN 0-370-00103-6.
  2. 1 2 3 Morgała, Andrzej (1997). Samoloty wojskowe w Polsce 1918-1924. Warsaw: Lampart. ISBN 83-86776-34-X, p.12 (in Polish)

Further reading

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