Albatros C.VII

The Albatros C.VII, a German military reconnaissance aircraft utilized during World War I, was an improved version of the Albatros C.V due to the latter’s underwhelming performance.

Unlike its predecessor, the C.VII did away with the unreliable Mercedes D.IV engine and reverted to the original C.V/16 design, eliminating the need for modifications to accommodate the powerplant.

Additionally, enhancements were made to the control surfaces, resulting in an aircraft with superior handling capabilities.

The C.VII quickly became the primary German reconnaissance aircraft, with approximately 350 units in operation simultaneously.

Specifications

Crew

Two

Length

8.70 m (28 ft 6 in)

Wingspan

12.78 m (41 ft 11 in)

Height

3.8 m (12 ft 6 in)

Wing area

43.4 m2 (467 sq ft)

Empty weight

989 kg (2,180 lb)

Gross weight

1,550 kg (3,420 lb)

Powerplant

1 × Benz Bz.IV,

150 kW (200 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed

170 km/h (110 mph, 96 kn)

Endurance

3​1⁄3 hours

Service ceiling

5,000 m (16,500 ft)

Rate of climb

3.2 m/s (630 ft/min)

Armament

Guns

1 × forward-firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) Spandau LMG 08/15 machine gun

1 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) Parabellum MG14 machine gun for observer

Bombs

90 kg (200 lb) of bombs.

Sources
German & Austro-Hungarian aircraft manufacturers 1908–1918-T C Treadwell.
German Aircraft of the First World War-Peter Gray & Owen Thetford.
Flugzeug Publications, Die Deutsche Luftwaffe 1914 – Heute.
The World’s Great Bombers: 1914 to the Present Day-C Chant.
Windsock Worldwide Vol.25, No.5 – September October 2009.