AEG C.IV

AEG · Germany · first flew 1916 · fighter

The AEG C.IV was a German two-seat reconnaissance and artillery-spotting aircraft of the First World War. Built by Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft, it featured the steel-tube frame construction typical of AEG designs.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — WingsHigh-mounted, straight
E — Engines1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — FuselageAEG steel-tube fuselage construction
T — TailConventional

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A conventional two-bay biplane with equal-span wings and a standard German two-seat arrangement with observer in the front cockpit; the AEG construction style gives a slightly angular appearance to the fuselage.

Specifications

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The C.IV entered service with the German air service in 1916 and was used for reconnaissance, artillery spotting, and light bombing. It was an effective and reliable aircraft, though not exceptional in performance compared to dedicated fighters. Production ran to several hundred examples.

Variants

The C.IV was the main production version in the C-series; earlier AEG C types (C.I through C.III) preceded it with incremental improvements.

Where you'll see it

Operated widely on the Western Front and other theatres by German Feldflieger Abteilungen (field aviation sections) from 1916 to the Armistice.

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