DFW C.IV
DFW · Germany · first flew 1916 · light aircraft
The DFW C.IV was a two-seat armed reconnaissance biplane produced by Deutsche Flugzeug-Werke for the German Imperial Air Service during World War One. It was a capable and widely used C-class two-seater that served on multiple fronts.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.9 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- WWI German two-seat armed reconnaissance biplane
- Benz Bz.IV or Mercedes D.III inline engine
- Observer/gunner in rear cockpit with ring-mounted Parabellum gun
A typical German WWI two-seat reconnaissance biplane with slightly staggered equal-span wings, an inline engine with a car-type radiator on the nose, and a rear cockpit accommodating a ring-mounted defensive gun.
Specifications
- The DFW C.IV has a length of 7.9 m (26 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.3 m (44 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 155 km/h (96 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The DFW C.IV entered service around 1916 and was an improvement over earlier DFW C-class types, offering better performance and reliability. It equipped many Flieger-Abteilungen (aviation battalions) for artillery spotting, photographic reconnaissance, and general liaison duties.
Variants
The DFW C series included the C.I through C.V; the C.IV was one of the more successful mid-war variants. The C.V became the most produced and widely known DFW type.
Where you'll see it
Served with the German Imperial Air Service on the Western, Eastern, and Macedonian Fronts during World War One, performing reconnaissance and artillery observation throughout 1916–1917.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.