AGO C.I to C.III

The aircraft of AGO were some of the few used in the German Air Force machines that had a pressure propeller drive and were used as a reconnaissance aircraft.

 

Development and construction:

Founded in 1911 under the name Gustav Otto Flugmaschinenwerke, the company opened a branch office near Berlin in 1912 under the name AGO (Aviatiker Gustav Otto) and began developing its own aircraft models. Unlike most other companies, however, the designer August Haefeli produced aircraft that were powered by a pressure screw.

The pressure propeller should allow the pilot a better view to the front, where else the engine would have been installed. Furthermore, the flow around the wings should not be influenced as with a tractor propeller and so the aerodynamics can be improved.

Due to the pressure propeller-related design, sat the pilot and the observer in a nacelle instead of a hull as usual. In addition, the pilot sat in the back seat while the observer sat in front and could operate a machine gun.

In addition to the variant for the army, a prototype with floats for the Imperial Navy was produced and delivered under the name AGO C.Iw.

1915 was begun with the development of the successor model C.II. The biggest change has been the cooling of the engine and some aerodynamic adjustments. Also of this type some aircraft were delivered to the Navy, which could be equipped with floats.

At the turn of the year from 1915 to 1916, the last version, the C.III was produced. This was slightly smaller in size than the C.II had no other changes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use in the First World War:

From the middle of 1915 the reconnaissance aircraft C.I and C.II were in use on the western front, from 1916 followed by the C.III version.

Since the aircraft had a long range and were popular with the pilots for their speed and maneuverability, these aircraft were used until 1917.

Due to the insolvency of the company in 1916 and the merger with Rapp Motorenwerke GmbH to form Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG (BFW), no further aircraft could be produced. Although shortly after, company founder Gustav Otto founded AGO (Aktiengesellschaft Gustav Otto), which only produced aircraft parts instead of entire machines.

 

 

 

Technical specifications:

Designation:	AGO C.I
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Armed reconnaissance aircraft
Length:	9 meters
Span:	15 meters
Height:	3,5 meters
Mass:	800kg empty
Crew:	Max. 2
Engine:	water-cooled inline engine Mercedes D III 160 PS
Maximum speed:	140 km/h
Reach:	480 kilometers
Armament:	1 caliber 7,92mm Parabellum machine gun

 

 

Designation:	AGO C.II
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Armed reconnaissance aircraft
Length:	9,84 meters
Span:	15 meters
Height:	3,5 meters
Mass:	1.360kg empty
Crew:	Max. 2
Engine:	water-cooled inline engine Mercedes D IV 220 PS
Maximum speed:	145 km/h
Reach:	580 kilometers
Armament:	1 caliber 7,92mm Parabellum machine gun

 

 

Designation:	AGO C.III
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Armed reconnaissance aircraft
Length:	7 meters
Span:	11 meters
Height:	3,5 meters
Mass:	unknown
Crew:	Max. 2
Engine:	water-cooled inline engine Mercedes D IV 220 PS
Maximum speed:	unknown
Reach:	unknown
Armament:	1 caliber 7,92mm Parabellum machine gun

 

 

 

 

 

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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