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Halberstadt CL.II

1917 WORLD WAR 1

Halberstadt CL. Two stories

The Halberstadt D.IV fighter is the basis of the CL. II escort hunters/ground attackers. The original D.IV was rejected by the Luftwaffe due to the pilot's view outside the cockpit, and only three were produced, but it was this design that influenced the upcoming CL. II, evolved into a two-seater defensive patrol and pursuit requirement for the Germans in World War I (1914-1918).

The cl II fulfilled this role well and produced 900 examples.

CL. The II was originally created in 1916 as "C. II", but became the "CL. II" revision. The II carried a synchronized 7.92mm LMG 08/15 machine gun mounted on a fixed forward mount for pilot use.

The armament has been enhanced by allowing the logisticians to manage a 7.92mm LMG 14 series machine gun on a flexible stand. To meet ground attack requirements, the aircraft can carry up to five 22-pound "Wurfgranaten 15" series trench mortar fragmentation bombs and ten grenades. Power comes from a 160-horsepower Mercedes D.III inline 6-cylinder engine that drives a twin-blade propeller in the nose.

The biplane wing arrangement (staggered) was used with parallel struts, as was the fixed landing gear (wheeled on the main legs) and an open-air cockpit for two crew members.

The first flight took place in early 1917 and the initial order was completed in May. In August of the same year, the aircraft was combat-ready and arrived in useful quantities. Once in service, the range was appreciated for its handling and performance, as well as its good visibility outside the cockpit. Within weeks, it proved to be one of the most valuable aircraft in German service, as the type could strike air and ground targets with equal lethality - and defend itself if necessary.

It can also escort larger, slower and more vulnerable fighters when needed, which is how flexible it is on the battlefield.

To reach the total of 900 aircraft, Halberstadt received no less than five production orders, of which at least 700 aircraft, production continued until mid-1918. In total, Bayerische FlugzeugWerke (BFW) supplied another 200 aircraft.

CL. IIa is the only variant of CL. Line II, this model is powered by BMW IIIa series engines and has undergone first-line operational tests for a period of time. Quantitative production data is not shown.

Both Lithuania and Poland became operators of CL after the war. two

When done, CL. The II can handle a top speed of 103 mph, with service capped at 16,600 feet. The stamina is three hours and the ascent to 16,400 feet takes forty minutes. Curb weight is 1,700 lbs and maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) is 2,500 lbs.