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AGO C.II

1915 WORLD WAR 1

History

The AGO C.II was a product of Aerowerke Gustav Otto (abbreviated as "AGO"), considered by some to be one of the best early reconnaissance aircraft of World War I, despite its conflict. The C.II was up to the task of reconnaissance and incorporated several design features that seemed more conceptual or revolutionary at the time.

The aircraft would eventually give way to the changing technological demands of warfare, being replaced by more powerful types over time.

The design of the C.II was based on the previous AGO C.I design and received an improved engine. The aircraft was operated by a crew of two, including a pilot and a gunner/observer. Arming is limited to one Parabellum machine gun for self-defense, managed by the gunner/observer in the forward cockpit, with the pilot in the rear.

The most notable feature of the AGO C.II is that the engines are placed in a "thrust" arrangement at the rear of the fuselage (the engines at the rear of the fuselage "push" the aircraft), rather than a more traditional "pull" arrangement. - Arrangement (the engine in the front of the fuselage "pulls" the plane), which is common elsewhere. In addition, the C.II was designed with twin tail booms, a rather novel design concept at a time when most military aircraft had a single tail fuselage configuration. Each boom of the C.II spanned the fuselage nacelle and was attached to the aircraft between the upper and lower wing assemblies at its forward end, and to the aircraft via a horizontal stabilizer at its rear end (the double boom arrangement later reappeared in WWII aircraft). designs like the Lockheed P-38 Lightning and Northrop P-61 Black Widow some twenty-five years later). The wings are of a traditional double-wing structure, consisting of upper and lower assemblies connected by parallel struts and appropriate cables.

The landing gear is fixed in place and has four wheels supported by a network of struts beneath the fuselage and lower wing assemblies.

The performance of the C.II was rated above average for time and good for maneuverability. The C.II is advertised as having a top speed of 86 mph, thanks to a liquid-cooled Mercedes D.VI inline-6 ??engine that produces 217 horsepower. The design has a range of 360 miles and is of high quality.

The C.II started well in 1915 and was eventually replaced by more traditional and modern types before the war ended.

A pair of C.IIs were converted to serve in the Imperial German Navy by installing buoys. These aircraft were seen as coast guard defenders during the war and were designated C.II-W to indicate their improved form and special role.

The total output of AGO C.II is 15 examples.