Aviatik C.I

C.I
Role	Reconnaissance aircraft
Manufacturer	Aviatik
First flight	1915
Introduction	1915
Retired	1917

The Aviatik C.I was a World War I observation aircraft which first came into service in September 1915 . It was the successor to the Aviatik B.I and B.II models. The observer sat in front of the pilot in this model which limited the gunner's field of fire. However, the opportunity was presented for more aggressive aircrews to take an increased offensive approach in engaging enemy aircraft. The positions of the pilot and gunner were reversed in the C.Ia version. Later models, the C.II and C.III were produced in large numbers and had more powerful engines.

Variants

C.1

C.II

Powered by 149 kW (200 hp) Benz Bz. IV engine. Not produced in quantity.

C.III

1916 refinement, operated until 1917.

Specifications

Data from

General characteristics

• Crew: Two
• Length: 7.925 m (26 ft 0 in)
• Wingspan: 12.5 m (41 ft 0 ¹⁄₄ in)
• Height: 2.95 m (9 ft 8 ¹⁄₈ in)
• Wing area: 43 m² (465.4 ft²)
• Empty weight: 750 kg (1,650 lb)
• Loaded weight: 1,340 kg (2,948 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D III 6-cylinder water-cooled in-line, 119 kW (160 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 142 km/h (77 knots, 88.75 mph)
• Service ceiling: 3,500 m (11,500 ft)
• Wing loading: 31.2 kg/m² (6.33 lb/ft²)
• Power/mass: 0.089 kW/kg (0.054 hp/lb)
  
• Endurance: 3 hours
• Climb to 1,000 m (3,050 ft): 12 min

Armament

• Guns: 1 machine gun in rear cockpit

Operators

German Empire

• Luftstreitkräfte

References

• van Wyngarden, G. Early German Aces of World War 1. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2006. ISBN 1-84176-997-5
• Taylor, Michael J H. Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. Portland House, 1989. ISBN 0-517-69186-8
• Gray, Peter and Thetford, Owen. German Aircraft of the First World War. London:Putnam, 1962.