Albatros C.I

The Albatros C.I was the first armed reconnaissance aircraft launched by the Albatros aircraft factories that was designed to meet the new requirements of the military leadership. Thus, the reconnaissance aircraft should be able to defend against the emerging fighter pilots on the fronts.

 

Development and construction:

With the advent of the first Allied fighters, the reconnaissance planes of the German Air Force had to be adapted accordingly and armed themselves to be able to defend themselves against attacks.

Already from the end of 1914 / beginning of 1915, the German army made the request for new aircraft. Like most other aircraft manufacturers, Albatros also used the previously used Category B reconnaissance aircraft and mounted on it a machine gun that could be used by the observer.

The C.I was designed by the designer Robert Thelen and was basically just a copy of the Albatros B.II. Only the pilot and the observer swapped places so the pilot sat in the front and the observer in the back. Thus, it should be possible for the observer to be able to shoot unimpeded with the machine gun mounted laterally and to the rear.

Due to the good flight characteristics, the C.I belonged to the most popular aircraft of the German pilots.

With the Albatros C.II a prototype was built, which had installed a pressure propeller instead of a traction engine. However, this model did not go beyond the status of the prototype.

 

 

 

 

Use in the First World War:

From the end of April 1915, the first aircraft were delivered to the German army and deployed at the front.

Their arming also made it possible to make flights behind the enemy line and defend themselves against attacks by fighter pilots.

The built-in discharge slot between pilot and observer also allowed up to 70 kg of bombs to be carried and dropped.

With the introduction of the Albatros C.III end of 1916, the type C.I aircraft were gradually removed from the front and served as training aircraft until the end of the war.

After the war, airplanes continued to be built under the civil designation L.6 for several years. The Air Force of Lithuania, Poland and Sweden also used some of the C.I aircraft themselves for their forces.

 

 

 

 

Technical specifications:

Designation:	Albatros C.I
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Armed reconnaissance aircraft
Length:	7,85 meters
Span:	12,9 meters
Height:	3,14 meters
Mass:	875kg empty
Crew:	Max. 2
Engine:	a line engine Argus As III/180 PS, Mercedes D III with (160 PS/119 kW) or Benz Bz. III with 150 PS
Maximum speed:	135 - 140 km/h
Reach:	380 kilometers
Armament:	1 machine gun 7,92 mm, 70 kg 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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