Albatros C.XII
Albatros · Germany · first flew 1917 · fighter
The Albatros C.XII was a German two-seat reconnaissance aircraft of the First World War, representing the final development of the Albatros C-series. It used the company's characteristic plywood semi-monocoque fuselage construction.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Albatros plywood semi-monocoque fuselage construction |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- WWI German two-seat reconnaissance biplane
- Albatros plywood semi-monocoque fuselage construction
- Mercedes D.IVa-powered late-war reconnaissance type
Typical of late-war Albatros two-seaters with the characteristic rounded plywood fuselage cross-section; the C.XII has a slightly larger span than earlier C-types and the powerful D.IVa engine with its distinctive radiator.
Specifications
- The Albatros C.XII has a length of 8.84 m (29 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.37 m (47 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 178 km/h (111 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Entering service in 1917, the C.XII was one of the better-performing German two-seat reconnaissance aircraft of the later war period. It was powered by the high-compression Mercedes D.IVa engine, giving improved altitude performance. Several hundred were built and used across multiple fronts.
Variants
The C.XII was the final mark of the Albatros C-series; it followed the C.X and C.XI with a revised airframe and improved engine.
Where you'll see it
Used by German Feldflieger Abteilungen and Schutzstaffeln on reconnaissance and escort duties across the Western and Eastern Fronts from 1917 until the Armistice.
Related aircraft
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