DFW C.II
Deutsche Flugzeug-Werke (DFW) · Germany · first flew 1915 · light aircraft
The DFW C.II was a German two-seat armed reconnaissance biplane that served on the Western and Eastern Fronts in 1915-1916. As a C-category type, it carried both a pilot and an armed observer for reconnaissance and light escort duties.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.02 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- German WWI two-seat armed reconnaissance biplane
- Observer with flexible Parabellum gun in front cockpit
- Equal-span wire-braced biplane with inline Mercedes engine
A conventional equal-span biplane with tandem open cockpits; differentiated from B-category aircraft by the observer's gun ring in the front cockpit.
Specifications
- The DFW C.II has a length of 7.02 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.25 m (37 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 150 km/h (93 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Produced by Deutsche Flugzeug-Werke of Leipzig, the C.II was a development of the earlier B-type unarmed reconnaissance aircraft. It introduced defensive armament for the observer and was used in the reconnaissance role before being superseded by more capable C-types. DFW would later produce the highly regarded C.V.
Variants
The DFW C.I was the direct predecessor; the more capable C.V became the company's most successful design.
Where you'll see it
Served with the Imperial German Air Service (Luftstreitkräfte) on multiple fronts in 1915-1916.
Related aircraft
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