AEG C.IV

History

The C.IV is a two-seater biplane built by the German company Allgemeine Elektrizitats-Gesellschaft (or simply "AEG"). The type was mainly used as a reconnaissance platform from 1916, but also as an escort bomber, and served in the Luftwaffe until the end of the First World War in 1918.

The C.IV was one of AEG's most successful wartime projects, producing over 658 samples.

From the outside, the C.IV is a downright conventional biplane. The wings feature an upper and lower wing configuration with equal spans, with double cabins and parallel struts. The engine is a single water-cooled 160-horsepower Mercedes D.III inline engine, mounted at the very front of the fuselage, with a unique radiator horn protruding from the top. The engine drives a two-bladed wooden propeller. The front of the fuselage is contoured to create a somewhat aerodynamic look, while the rest of the fuselage maintains a boxy look.

There are two seats, consisting of the pilot and an observer in tandem, with the pilot sitting in the forward cockpit behind a simplified windshield. The pilot can use a Spandau machine gun offset to the right. The system is synchronized to launch through the rotating propeller blades without damaging them through the breaker gears.

The observer sits facing rearward in the rear cockpit and in the Schneider-style gun mounting ring. Its positions were controlled by a Parabellum machine gun with enough traverse to engage trailing enemy fighters.

The landing gear remains sturdy, featuring two large main landing gears up front and a simple fin under the tail. The rear wing has an acutely angled vertical fin and low-mounted horizontal stabilizers.

Performance was good at the time, with the C.IV hitting a top speed of 98 mph with a service ceiling of 16,404 feet. The Mercedes engine has a range of about 3 hours of flight time.

The C. IV entered service in Germany in the early spring of 1916. By June 1917, no fewer than 150 prototypes were in service on the Western Front alone. The mount proved successful when deployed, and several models remained in service after the end of hostilities.

C.IV is produced in two other lesser-known variants, known as C.IVa and C.IV. The N. C. IVa differs from the base model by the installation of a 180 hp Argus engine. The C.IV. N was a prototype C.IV night bomber developed sometime in 1917. Night bomber form is powered by a Mercedes Bz.

The Series III engine is rated at 180 hp and can carry 6 x 110 lb bombs externally.

In addition to serving in the German Empire, the C.IV was used by the Turkish and Bulgarian Air Forces as well as by Poland - the latter in the post-war years (at least 64 examples).

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes