Caudron C.23
Caudron · France · first flew 1918 · bomber
The Caudron C.23 was a French long-range twin-engined night bomber, flown in the last year of the First World War.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 13 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- large five-bay biplane with constant-chord unswept wings and angled tips
- two cowled Salmson radial engines on V-form struts just above the lower wing
- gunner positions in the nose and behind the wing
A five-bay biplane with two 260 hp Salmson 9Z radials, fabric-covered wings and no stagger. The upper wing has a slightly greater span, and the tailplane is mounted on top of the fuselage behind a low, broad fin.
Specifications
- The Caudron C.23 has a length of 13 m (43 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 24.5 m (80 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 143 km/h (89 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was designed to reach Berlin with a 600 kg bomb load and had much in common with the Caudron C.22, but was almost 50% larger in span. It first flew in February 1918, piloted by Jules Vedrines.
Variants
Soon after the war some C.23s were modified to carry twelve passengers in an open cockpit. Higher-powered engines were considered in April 1918 but trials with a Hispano-Suiza led nowhere.
Where you'll see it
By the Armistice in November 1918 fifty-four C.23s had been delivered to the French Air Force. Some served with the 22nd squadron until replaced by the Farman Goliath in February 1920.
Related aircraft
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