In autumn 1917, the Zeppelin-Lindau factory built two reconnaissance planes named Zeppelin C.I.
Developed by Paul Jaray, these aircraft were tested before the decision to start mass production of an improved model, the C.II, was made.
Production began in 1918 at the Friedrichshafen Flugzeugbau factory.
The two-seater, wooden, single-strut biplane was powered by a robust 240-horsepower Maybach Mb IV engine and armed with a synchronised 7.92 mm machine gun.
Unfortunately, the surrender occurred before the completion of 20 units.
Consequently, the Allied Commission demanded the destruction of all these planes.
Nevertheless, the company successfully negotiated the sale of the batch to the Swiss Air Force, with 19 aircraft ultimately delivered.
These planes served the Swiss Air Force until 1928, fulfilling their reconnaissance roles with dedication.
To summarise, the Zeppelin C.I aircraft, designed by Paul Jaray, successfully completed its tests, resulting in the development of an advanced model, the C.II.
These two-seater biplanes, fitted with a robust Maybach Mb IV engine and a synchronised machine gun, were designed for reconnaissance missions.
Despite the Allied Commission’s initial directive for their destruction, the manufacturer succeeded in selling all units, with 19 aircraft being acquired by the Swiss Air Force.
The Swiss Air Force utilised these planes until 1928, effectively conducting aerial reconnaissance duties.
Specifications
Crew
Two
Length
7.925 m (26 ft 0 in)
Wingspan
12 m (39 ft 4 in)
Height
3.585 m (11 ft 9 in)
Empty weight
987.5 kg (2,177 lb)
Gross weight
1,455 kg (3,208 lb)
Powerplant 1 × Maybach Mb.IV
6-cylinder inline water-cooled piston engine,
180 kW (240 hp)
Propellers
2-bladed fixed-pitch wooden propeller
Performance
Maximum speed
200 km/h (120 mph, 110 kn)
Time to altitude
33 minutes to 5,000 m (16,000 ft)
Sources
German Aircraft of the First World War-Peter Gray & Owen Thetford.
