Rumpler C.VII

History

Aerial reconnaissance proved as important as machine guns, artillery systems or tanks on the battlefields of World War I (19114-1918). As a result, both parties are heavily involved in the educational platform. These aircraft were usually in the biplane form of the time, but carried a second crew member in the second cockpit to act as a dedicated observer.??? These types are also armed or unarmed depending on design and battlefield needs.

German Concern Rumpler developed several aircraft for the role, including the Rumpler C. VII.

The C.VII featured a traditional biplane wing layout consisting of upper and lower panels above and below the fuselage. These equal-span wings are supported between the aircraft by parallel struts, forming two nacelles when the aircraft is viewed in forward section.

The engine was mounted on the nose as usual and drove a two-bladed wooden propeller. The crew sat outdoors in the tandem cockpit. The stern is of conventional design and layout, as is the wheeled fixed undercarriage (stern tug type).

This aircraft was formed from earlier work on the 1917 Rumpler C. IV reconnaissance aircraft, but had built-in features that allowed it to fly higher than previous models. This would give the new design a quality that made it immune to the dangers of ground fire and enemy interceptors at the time - allowing it to conduct reconnaissance with a high degree of impunity.

A higher operating ceiling also means less oxygen and a cooler environment, thus providing the crew with oxygen and a heated flight unit.

Power comes from a Maybach Mb IVa engine, which is slightly lower than the C. IV's Mercedes D. IV unit, but able to maintain its power output at higher altitudes (unlike the Mercedes).

The weapon is a 1 x 7.92mm Spandau LMG 08/15 machine gun mounted on the nose and fired synchronously by rotating propeller blades. This is paired with a 1 x 7.92mm Parabellum MG14 machine gun flexibly mounted in the rear cockpit.

These cannons make the C.VII well-equipped for a reconnaissance version, capable of actively attacking targets of opportunity at the front of the aircraft and protecting its more vulnerable rear quadrant.

The first flight of the C.VII prototype was recorded in 1917, which entered service by the end of the year and performed well. Another version ("Rubild") appeared without frontal weapons and was modified to carry more specialized reconnaissance equipment.

Many Allied fighter jets at the time had limited intercept capability when trying to hit the C.VII at altitudes above 20,000 feet. The aircraft was so valuable that it remained in service until the final months of the war.

In addition to serving in the German Empire, the aircraft was taken over by the Swiss Air Force and the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in the post-war period. After the war, the United States claimed to have an example for evaluation.

Specification

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