Albatros C.IX

Summary

The Albatros C.IX was a two-seated German military reconnaissance biplane from 1917. It was built by Albatros Flugzeugwerke. It did not have a central strut between the upper wing and the fuselage, which was uncommon during the time. Also unusual was that the top wing was swept, while the lower wing was straight.[1] Only three of these aircraft were built.

Albatros C.IX
Role Reconnaissance aircraft
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Albatros
First flight 1917
Number built 3

Manfred von Richthofen used one for personal transport,[2] including going to meet Kaiser Wilhelm II in May 1917.[3]

Specifications edit

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 8.22 m (27 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan: 10.4 m (34 ft 1 in)
  • Height: 2.74 m (9 ft 0 in)
  • Empty weight: 790 kg (1,742 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.III Inline piston engine, 118 kW (158 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 155 km/h (96 mph, 84 kn)
  • Range: 385 km (239 mi, 208 nmi)

Armament

  • Guns: 2×7.9mm machine guns

Notes edit

  1. ^ Gray, Peter Lawrence; Owen Gordon Thetford (1962). German aircraft of the First World War. Putnam. p. 256.
  2. ^ Nowarra, Heinz J.; Kimbrough S. Brown; Bruce Robertson (1964). Von Richthofen and the Flying Circus. Aero Publishers. p. 62.
  3. ^ Kilduff, Peter (2007). Red Baron: the life and death of an ace. David & Charles. p. 98. ISBN 978-0-7153-2809-5.

References edit

  • (German) Kroschel/Stützer. Die deutschen Militärflugzeuge 1910-1918. 1977. ISBN 978-3-8132-0148-2.