DFW C.I and succession aircraft

The DFW C.I was the first armed reconnaissance aircraft of the Deutsche Flugzeug-Werke. Like most other C.I category aircraft, this aircraft was also a B machine mounted on a machine gun. Only through development could the aircraft be adapted to the requirements.

 

Development and construction:

From October 1914, the first Allied aircraft appeared with mounted machine guns on the Western Front. The German reconnaissance planes were unarmed at this time, which resulted in pilots appealing to the military leadership to use armed aircraft as well.

At the beginning of the war, Deutsche Flugzeug-Werke already produced the reconnaissance aircraft DFW B.I, which was used quite successfully. After the designer Willi Sabersky-Müssigbrodt joined the company, a machine gun was mounted on one of these aircraft and classified as DFW C.I.

As with most of the other C.I class airplanes, the DFW C.I also had the pilot in the back and the observer in the front. Although a saving was used in the upper wing so that the shooter has a better field of fire, but overall this should only be an interim solution.

 

The following models were built according to a similar pattern:

DFW C.II:
C.II built a prototype slightly smaller in size and now had straight and slightly staggered wings. However, this meant that the aircraft was no longer so stable to fly in the air.

 

DFW C.III:
Of the C.III was also built only a prototype, but had little technical changes.

 

DFW C.IV:
In the case of the C.IV the constructors changed mainly the fuselage, so that the airplane was again more stable in the air. This could then be produced again, the company Aviatik also built some aircraft under license.

 

DFW C.V:
With the development of C.V most of the changes were made. Not only was it the company's first aircraft to mount the synchronized machine gun for the pilot, it now also sat in the front seat. Also, the 200PS strong Benz Bz IV engine was installed and adjusted the control surfaces. The C.V proved to be quite successful and had a good reputation among the pilots. It was also among the most produced aircraft of the entire war.

 

DFW C.VI and DFW C.VII:
Only one prototype was built by the C.VI and C.VII, but it did not show any technical changes.

 

DFW C.VIII:
At the end of the war, the prototype C.VIII was developed and presented. In terms of size, the aircraft was significantly smaller than the C.V, but had the same 200hp engine installed. Despite the height record, this aircraft could not be built because of the capitulation.

 

 

 

 

 

Technical specifications:

Designation:	DFW C.I
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Armed reconnaissance aircraft
Length:	8,04 meters
Span:	14 meters
Height:	3,18 meters
Mass:	800kg empty
Crew:	Max. 2
Engine:	6 cylinder in-line engine Benz Bz III, 150 PS
Maximum speed:	130 km/h
Reach:	350 kilometers
Armament:	1 machine gun 7,92 mm Parabellum

 

 

 

 

 

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!

 

 

 

 

 

This post is also available in: Deutsch (German) Français (French) Italiano (Italian) 简体中文 (Chinese (Simplified)) Русский (Russian) Español (Spanish) العربية (Arabic)