LVG C.I and succession aircraft

With the first Allied fighters on the Western Front began in 1915, the Luftverkehrsgesellschaft  (LVG) to arm their reconnaissance aircraft and produced the LVG C.I. In the next few years, the development led to the successful C.V and C.VI models, which were used on all fronts.

 

Development and construction:

Already in October 1914 appeared on the Western Front, the first armed aircraft of the Allies, who acted very successfully against the unarmed German reconnaissance aircraft. The German pilots then demanded from their military leadership that their aircraft should also be armed.

The aircraft manufacturers began thus with the development of appropriate airplanes, whereby the first airplanes were only enlighteners of the category B and on these a machine gun was mounted.

For this reason, the chief engineer Franz Schneider initially took a LVG B.I at the airline and fitted a ring carriage around the observer's seat so that the machine gun could be swiveled. This technique was used a short time later as a standard for the subsequent aircraft not only by the airline but also by other companies. Shortly after the beginning of the production of the LVG C.I these airplanes were already brought to the front to replace the until then used unarmed reconnaissance aircraft.

By the same principle, the LVG B.II was converted to the LVG C.II. In this model, however, the pilot and the observer exchanged places, so the pilot now sat in front. It was again mounted on the ring mount rotatable machine gun, later produced aircraft also added the synchronized machine gun for the pilot.

From the LVG C.III only three prototypes were built. The pilot sat back in the back and the aircraft was a bit smaller overall than the predecessor.

The LVG C.IV was initially intended as a remote reconnaissance. But the plane was larger than the C.II, had a fully faired engine and modified control surfaces. Since the prototypes were subjected to strong engine vibration, three more engines were tested, but the result was not satisfactory. Therefore, only a few aircraft of this type were built. For the chief engineer Franz Schneider this was also the last airplane he had developed at the company. Due to the lack of success, he was subsequently dismissed and Willi Sabersky-Müssigbrodt enlisted by Deutsche Flugzeug-Werke GmbH.

Thanks to the experience of Sabersky-Müssigbrodt on the design of the DFW C.V, the engineer was able to bring this into the development of the LVG C.V and with the 200 hp Benz Bz.IVü this time a reliable engine was available. The acceptance of the prototype on December 24, 1916 went so well that the German army ordered 1,250 aircraft.

Since the C.V was a rather large aircraft in terms of dimensions, the development of the C.VI was particularly careful to make the aircraft more compact and more aerodynamic. By a higher-built fuselage, a better-clad engine, a propeller hood and larger side and height control, the specification could be met. From March 1918 could be started with the production.

From the aircraft LVG C.VII and LVG C.VIII only prototypes were built. Due to the capitulation of the German Empire, no other aircraft of this type were built.

 

 

 

Use in the First World War:

The LVG C.I was intended from the beginning only as a temporary solution for use in war. The LVG C.II, however, proved to be a very good reconnaissance aircraft and was used by the German army until 1917. With one of these aircraft was carried out on November 28, 1916, the first bombing raid on London. The C.II was also used successfully by the Luftwaffe Austria-Hungary.

The LVG C.V and C.VI turned out to be particularly reliable and successful. Both aircraft were used for reconnaissance and artillery observation missions, bomber flights and aerial reconnaissance and were among the best German aircraft.

 

 

 

Technical specifications:

Designation:	LVG C.I
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Armed reconnaissance aircraft
Length:	8,61 meters
Span:	14,5 meters
Height:	3,2 meters
Mass:	835kg empty
Crew:	Max. 2
Engine:	water-cooled 6-cylinder in-line engine Benz Bz III 150 PS
Maximum speed:	125 km/h
Reach:	300 kilometers
Armament:	1 machine gun 7,92 mm Parabellum and up to 40Kg bombs

 

 

Designation:	LVG C.II
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Armed reconnaissance aircraft
Length:	8,1 meters
Span:	12,85 meters
Height:	2,93 meters
Mass:	845kg empty
Crew:	Max. 2
Engine:	water-cooled 6-cylinder in-line engine  Mercedes D III 160 PS
Maximum speed:	130 km/h
Reach:	440 kilometers
Armament:	1 to 2 machine guns 7,92mm Parabellum and up to 100kg bombs

 

 

 

Designation:	LVG C.IV
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Armed reconnaissance aircraft
Length:	8,5 meters
Span:	13,6 meters
Height:	3,1 meters
Mass:	1050kg empty
Crew:	Max. 2
Engine:	water-cooled 6-cylinder in-line engine  Mercedes D IV 220 PS
Maximum speed:	unknown
Reach:	unknown
Armament:	2 machine guns 7,92mm Parabellum and up to 70Kg bombs

 

 

Designation:	LVG C.V
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Armed reconnaissance aircraft
Length:	8,07 meters
Span:	13,62 meters
Height:	3,2 meters
Mass:	985kg empty
Crew:	Max. 2
Engine:	water-cooled 6-cylinder in-line engine  Benz Bz.IV, 200 PS
Maximum speed:	165 km/h
Reach:	485 kilometers
Armament:	2 machine guns 7,92 mm Parabellum

 

 

 

 

Designation:	LVG C.VI
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Armed reconnaissance aircraft
Length:	7,45 meters
Span:	unknown
Height:	2,8 meters
Mass:	930kg empty
Crew:	Max. 2
Engine:	water-cooled 6-cylinder in-line engine Benz Bz.IV, 200 PS
Maximum speed:	170 km/h
Reach:	400 kilometers
Armament:	2 machine guns 7,92 mm Parabellum and up to 115Kg bombs

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can find the right literature here:

 

Fokker Dr I Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces)

Undoubtedly the most famous fighter type to see service on either side during World War 1, the Fokker Dr I was a revelation when it entered service on the western front in 1917. Manfred von Richthofen’s JG 1 ‘circus’ was the first Jasta to completely re-equip with the new fighter, and in the skilled hands of its numerous aces the Dr I proved a formidable opponent. The Dr I remained in service on the Western Front until replaced by the superior Fokker D VII in May 1918. Just weeks prior to that, however, Germany’s leading ace, the great ‘Red Baron’, had been killed at the controls of a Dr I.

Click here!

 

 

Friedrichshafen Aircraft of WWI: A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes (Great War Aviation) (Volume 21)

This book describes and illustrates the development of Friedrichshafen aircraft of WWI with text, 540 photos, 18 in color, 37 color profiles, production quantities and serial numbers of aircraft, and aircraft dimensions and performance specifications. In addition, there are 26 official SVK drawings and 11 aircraft are illustrated in scale drawings to 1/48 (4) or 1/72 (7) scales. The book has 312 pages and is of interest to aviation historians, enthusiasts, and modelers alike.

Click here!

 

 

German and Austro-Hungarian Aircraft Manufacturers 1908-1918

Much has been written about the British aircraft of the First World War, but little has surfaced about the aircraft of the Axis powers, Germany and Austria. Here, Terry C. Treadwell tells the story of the aircraft from companies such as Fokker, builder of the famous triplane, as fl own by Baron von Richthofen's Flying Circus, AEG, Albatros, Junkers and Hansa. From reconnaissance aircraft to state-of-the-art bombers that could reach London, this is the definitive guide to aircraft of the Axis powers during the First World War. The aircraft are explained in detail and a history of each company is provided, making this an excellent source book for aircraft enthusiasts, model makers and those interested in the air war over the trenches of France and Belgium, as well as further afield in the Italian campaign.

Click here!

 

 

The Zeppelin in Combat: A History of the German Naval Airship Division

The standard reference now revised and expanded. Dr. Robinson has opened up his vast photo archives to enhance this new edition of his classic work. Much of the new photographic material is published here for the first time.

Click here!

 

 

 

 

 

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