Albatros C.III

The Albatros C.III was a German two-seat general-purpose biplane of the First World War, 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. It was used in a wide variety of roles including observation, photo-reconnaissance, light-bombing and bomber escort.

Like its predecessor, the C.III was a popular aircraft with rugged construction and viceless handling. The most prominent difference between the two was the revised tail, the C.III having a lower, rounded tail compared to the large, triangular tail of the C.I, granting the C.III greater agility. The powerplant was either a 150-hp (112 kW) Benz Bz.III or a 160-hp (119 kW) Mercedes D.III inline engine and, like numerous other two-seaters of 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 7.92 mm Parabellum machine gun. Later C.III aircraft were fitted with interrupter gear and a single forward-firing 7.92 mm LMG 08/15 machine gun. The C.III could also carry a bombload of up to 200 lb (91 kg) in a small internal bomb bay.

Specifications

General Characteristics

• Crew: two, pilot & observer
• Length: 8.0 m (26 ft 3 in)
• Wingspan: 11.69 m (38 ft 4 in)
• Height: 3.10 m (10 ft 2 in)
• Wing area: 36.91 m² (397 ft²)
• Empty: 851 kg (1,876 lb)
• Loaded: lb ( kg)
• Maximum takeoff: 1,353 kg (2,983 lb)
• Powerplant: 1x Mercedes D.III liquid-cooled inline engine, 119 kW (160 hp) (or 1x Benz Bz.III, 112 kW (150 hp))

Performance

• Maximum speed: 140 km/h (87 mph)
• Range: endurance of 4 hours
• Service ceiling: 3,350 m (11,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: m/min ( ft/min)
• Wing loading: ( kg/m²) ( lb/ft²)
• Power/Mass: kW/kg ( hp/lb)

Armament

• 1x 7.92 mm Parabellum machine gun in observer's cockpit
• Some aircraft with 1x 7.92 mm LMG 08/15 forward-firing machine gun
• up to 91 kg (200 lb) bombs

Related content

Related development: Albatros C.I - Albatros C.V

Comparable aircraft: Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 - Aviatik C.I - Rumpler C.I

Designation sequence: C.I - C.II - C.III - C.IV - C.V - C.VI