The Aviatik C.I was an observation aircraft which came into service during World War I in April 1915. It was a development of the Aviatik B.I and B.II models, being one of first aircraft of the new German C class of armed biplanes. In the C.I the observer sat in front of the pilot, with a machine-gun clipped on a sliding mounting fitted on a rail at either side of the cockpit.[1] It gave the crew the means to attack enemy aircraft.[2] The positions of the pilot and observer were reversed in last series of 50, ordered in 1917 solely for trainer purpose.[3] There was only one aircraft built of refined C.Ia version in May 1916, with armament still in a forward cab, serving as a prototype for C.III.[3] Later models of the plane included the Aviatik C.II and the C.III, which had more powerful engines. The C.III was produced in large numbers.
C.I | |
---|---|
Aviatik C.I trainer (late series) | |
Role | Reconnaissance aircraft |
Manufacturer | Aviatik |
First flight | 1915 |
Introduction | 1915 |
Retired | 1917 |
548 Aviatik C.I were built in total: 402 by Aviatik (including 51 trainers and 1 C.Ia) and 146 by Hannover.[4]
Data from German Aircraft of the First World War [6]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament