BFW CL.I
Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW) · Germany · first flew 1918 · fighter
The BFW CL.I was a German two-seat escort fighter and ground attack aircraft developed by Bayerische Flugzeugwerke — the company that would later reorganise as Messerschmitt AG. Evaluated in September 1918, it was declared unsatisfactory just weeks before the armistice and never entered operational service.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.81 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Two-seat escort fighter from the manufacturer that later became Messerschmitt
- Mercedes D.III inline engine with a long narrow nose
- Observer's rear Parabellum ring mount distinguishes it from single-seat fighters
A conventional two-bay biplane of late-WWI configuration; BFW's origin (the future Messerschmitt factory) is its chief historical distinction rather than any striking visual feature.
Specifications
- The BFW CL.I has a length of 7.81 m (26 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.62 m (35 ft).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Built to the CL-class specification for a light two-seat fighter capable of escorting bombers and conducting ground strafing, the CL.I was evaluated on 14 September 1918 and found wanting in performance. The armistice of 11 November 1918 ended any further military procurement. The BFW factory subsequently transitioned to aircraft repair and later to motorcycles before re-entering aircraft manufacturing.
Variants
A single prototype; later CL.II and CL.III proposals with more powerful engines were not completed.
Where you'll see it
Never entered operational service; evaluated only at the prototype stage.
Related aircraft
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