Albatros C.III

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albatros_C.III

The Albatros C.III was a German two-seat general-purpose biplane of World War I,
built by Albatros Flugzeugwerke. The C.III was a refined version of the
successful Albatros C.I and was eventually produced in greater numbers than any
other C-type Albatros.

The C.III was used in a wide variety of roles including observation,
photo-reconnaissance, light bombing and bomber escort. First twelve aircraft
went to the front in December 1915. The biggest number was available on the
front in August 1916 – 354. They were mostly withdrawn from frontline service by
mid-1917, although the production continued for training. Orders for 2271
aircraft in total are known.

Eighteen C.IIIs were delivered in August 1916 to Bulgaria. They were destroyed
in 1920 in accordance with the Treaty of Neuilly-sur-Seine. According to other
sources, 26 Albatros C.III were delivered to Bulgaria, including eight trainers.

Polish Air Force operated 15 Albatros C.III in 1918-1920 during Polish-Soviet
War.

Role
General purpose

Manufacturer
Albatros Flugzeugwerke
DAR

Introduction
1915

Primary users
Luftstreitkräfte
Polish Air Force
Finnish Air Force
Bulgarian Air Force
Lithuanian Air Force

Construction

Like the Albatros C.I, the C.III was a popular aircraft with rugged construction
and viceless handling. The most prominent difference between the two was the
revised vertical stabilizer. The C.III had a lower, rounded tail compared to the
large, triangular tail of the C.I, which, combined with smaller weight, gave the
C.III greater agility. The power plant was either a 110 kW (150 hp) Benz Bz. III
or a 120 kW (160 hp) Mercedes D.III inline engine and, like numerous other
two-seaters used during the war (such as the British Royal Aircraft Factory
R.E.8) the cylinder head and exhaust manifold protruded above the front
fuselage, limiting the pilot's forward visibility.

The observer, who occupied the rear cockpit, was armed with a single 7.92 mm
(0.312 in) Parabellum MG14 machine gun. C.III aircraft were typically fitted
with a gun synchronizer and a single forward-firing 7.92 mm (0.312 in) LMG 08/15
machine gun. The C.III could also carry a bomb load of up to 90 kg (200 lb) in
four vertical tubes in the fuselage or external racks.

Between 1926 and 1927, two Mercedes D.III engined copies were built from saved
parts and components of the destroyed aircraft by Bulgarian state aircraft
workshops DAR as the DAR 2 for use as trainers. According to D. Nedialkov,
twelve DAR-2 were built (at least nine are confirmed by a photograph).

Specifications (C.III)

General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 7.9 m (25 ft 11 in)
Wingspan: 11.7 m (38 ft 5 in)
Height: 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in)
Wing area: 36.91 m2 (397.3 sq ft)
Empty weight: 830 kg (1,830 lb)
Gross weight: 1,343 kg (2,961 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Argus As.III 6-cylinder water-cooled in-line piston engine, 130
kW (180 hp)
Propellers: 2-bladed propeller

Performance
Maximum speed: 145 km/h (90 mph, 78 kn)
Endurance: 4 hours 30 minutes
Service ceiling: 3,350 m (10,990 ft)
Time to altitude: 3,000 m (9,800 ft) in 35 minutes

Armament

Guns: 1 × 7.92 mm (0.312 in) Parabellum MG14 machine gun in observer's cockpit
and 1 × fixed forward-firing 7.92 mm (0.312 in) LMG 08/15 in the nose.
Bombs: up to 200 lb (91 kg) of bombs



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