Hannover CL.II and succession aircraft

After the introduction of the new CL aircraft class 1916, the Hannoversche Waggonfabrik AG also decided to submit corresponding designs for an earth combat and accompanying aircraft. With the Hannover CL.II a very successful aircraft could be produced and used.

 

Development and construction:

Dipl.-Ing. Hermann Dorner was responsible for the design of the Hannover CL.II, which he presented in September 1916. Overall, the aircraft was fairly compact and featured a double-span, short-span elevator that would allow the observer to get a wider field of fire.

In April and May 1917, the first prototypes of the military leadership were presented. The excellent flight characteristics were then ordered 200 aircraft, this number was increased several times over the next few months. The introduction at the front took place in the late summer of 1917. In addition to the Hannover Waggonfabrik AG, the aircraft were also produced under license by the Luftfahrt-Gesellschaft mbH (LFG).

 

In December 1917, the successor model CL.III was already built as a prototype. Due to the overhanging torsion flaps and the V-wing position, this machine was able to further improve the flight characteristics. However, during the first missions at the front, there were shortcomings in the production on the wings and thus some aircraft crashed. In the second series of production these shortcomings could be eliminated. Also, the engine had to be swapped in the second series of a 160hp Mercedes D.III on the Argus As.III, since the Mercedes engines were needed more urgently for the fighter aircraft.

From the Hannover CL.IV only five aircraft were built, which should serve to test the 245hp Maybach Mb.IV engine.

 

At the end of the war, production of the CL.V was started. These were equipped with the 185hp BMW IIIa engine. Of the 100 aircraft ordered, 46 were built but no longer delivered to the front. After the war, the type was built by the Norwegian manufacturer Kjeller and the Polish manufacturer Centralne Warsztaty Lotnicze and used in the airforce.

 

 

 

Use in the First World War:

From the late summer of 1917, the first aircraft of the type Hannover CL.II were used on the Western Front. In the spring of 1918 followed the Hannover CL.III.

Both types of aircraft proved themselves by the good field of view of the pilot and the good field of fire of the observer. The agility let the plane keep up with those of the Allies. Due to the high altitude, it was also often used as escort for the bombers.

 

 

 

Technical specifications:

Designation:	Hannover CL.II
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Ground attack aircraft and fighter escort
Length:	7,8 meters
Span:	12 meters
Height:	2,8 meters
Mass:	750kg empty
Crew:	Max. 2
Engine:	Water-cooled inline engine Opel Argus As III 180hp
Maximum speed:	165 km/h
Reach:	500 kilometers
Armament:	1 x machine gun 7,92 mm Parabellum, 1 x 7,92 mm 08/15 Spandau machine gun and up to 50Kg bombs

 

 

 

 

Designation:	Hannover CL.III
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Ground attack aircraft
Length:	7,8 meters
Span:	11,85 meters
Height:	2,8 meters
Mass:	734kg empty
Crew:	Max. 2
Engine:	Water cooled inline engine Mercedes D III 160hp
Maximum speed:	165 km/h
Reach:	500 kilometers
Armament:	1 x machine gun 7,92 mm Parabellum, 1 x 7,92 mm 08/15 Spandau machine gun and up to 50Kg bombs

 

 

 

 

Designation:	Hannover CL.IV
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Ground attack aircraft
Length:	7,8 meters
Span:	12,5 meters
Height:	2,8 meters
Mass:	960kg empty
Crew:	Max. 2
Engine:	Water-cooled series engine Maybach 260hp
Maximum speed:	160 km/h
Reach:	unknown
Armament:	unknown

 

 

 

 

Designation:	Hannover CL.V
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Ground attack aircraft
Length:	7,1 meters
Span:	10,49 meters
Height:	2,9 meters
Mass:	720kg empty
Crew:	Max. 2
Engine:	water cooled inline engine BMW IIIa 185hp
Maximum speed:	185 km/h
Reach:	550 kilometers
Armament:	2 x machine guns 7,92 mm Parabellum, 1 x 7,92 mm 08/15 Spandau machine gun and up to 50Kg 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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