The AEG PE, a triplane ground attack aircraft from World War I, was among the earliest aircraft specifically created for this purpose.
However, it was ultimately rejected by the Idflieg due to concerns over its limited manoeuvrability, which would have made it highly susceptible to enemy fighters.
Specifications
Crew
1
Length
6.6 m (21 ft 8 in)
Wingspan
11.2 m (36 ft 9 in)
Empty weight
1,182 kg (2,606 lb)
Gross weight
1,412 kg (3,113 lb)
Powerplant
1 × Benz Bz.IIIb,
V-8 water-cooled piston engine,
143 kW (192 hp)
Performance
Maximum speed
166 km/h (103 mph, 90 kn)
Rate of climb
2.87 m/s (565 ft/min)
Time to altitude
1,000m in 5.8min
Armament
Guns
2 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) LMG 08/15 machine guns
Bombs
4 x small bombs.
Sources AEG Aircraft of WWI-J Herris. German Aircraft of the First World War-P Gray & O Thetford. The Complete Book of Fighters-W Green & W Swanborough.
