Albatros C.III

History

During World War I, Albatross built several "C" type two-seat reconnaissance biplanes for the Luftwaffe, but none reached the level of the Albatross C. III model introduced in 1916. By this point, the war had begun, mired in trench warfare, and every viable military weapon was at work to overthrow the defendersincluding armed scouts, who provided vital reports on the horizon and observed enemy movements in the distance, and opportunities for participation.

Before the last days, the successful model C.III ended up in the inventory of the German Empire, Bulgaria, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and the Ottoman Empire.

The Albatross C.III continues the long line of reconnaissance biplanes, essentially "short-term" reconnaissance biplanes, and attempts to replicate the success of the earlier C.I, itself an improved armed form of the original Albatross B.II model series. However, the CIA had her crew turn around, with the pilot in front and the observer/gunner behind. The C.III has this quality of design and pretty much follows the lines of earlier designs.

It retains the twin-cabin biplane wing arrangement, front engine and traditional rear wing. Its undercarriage is strong and up-to-date, centered on two large main wheels and a wooden tail skid. Of particular note are the engine mounts, with their large exhaust manifold assemblies extending from the top of the engine, severely obstructing forward visibility.

A 7.92mm Spandau machine gun was mounted on the starboard side of the engine and fired synchronously via a rotating twin-bladed propeller assembly. The rear observer/gunner manages a trainable 7.92mm Parabellum machine gun to protect the aircraft's more vulnerable "Six".

In practice, the C.III was an invaluable aircraft for the German aviation service, capable of performing various tasks other than reconnaissance flights. It can be equipped with up to 200 pounds of internal airdrop units for light bombardment of valuable targets. Once unprotected ground targets are spotted, its machine guns can also shell them. The mount was rated good for handling and maneuverability, with the crew preferring the C.III over all other C-Type designs in the Albatross. Its overall construction made it a powerful military tool, and it was carried into the final days of the wara rarity for early biplanes.

Many existed after the armistice and had to be handed over to the Allies for destruction or redistribution to the Allies.

The C.III was used with one of two engine units - one of which was a 150 hp Benz Bz. III and another Mercedes D. III with 160 hp in-line. Speeds reach about 87 mph, service is capped at 11,000 feet, and the mission duration window is about 4 hours. The Albatros C. VI is a variant of the C. III series with a 180 hp Argus As III inline 6-cylinder in-line engine.

The new engine enhances the engine mounts but slightly improves performance - especially speed. Production of this variant is very limited. A seaplane shape was also developed, which became the one-off Albatross W.2.

It was powered by a Mercedes D.II engine with a proper seaplane mounted on the fuselage in place of the landing gear.

Specification

Basic

Production

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Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes