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Rumpler C.VIII

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Top speed
  
140 km/h

Length
  
8 m

Manufacturer
  
Rumpler

Wingspan
  
12 m

First flight
  
1917

The Rumpler C.VIII was a German single-engine biplane advanced trainer manufactured by Rumpler Flugzeugwerke, in Berlin Johannisthal in 1917.

Contents

Design and development

The C.VIII variant was developed with the intention of providing an operational trainer for aircrews nearing the end of their training with particular emphasis on the observers' curriculum of gunnery, observation, radio and photography. The aircraft was close to standards applicable to full military operation but could also be operated economically.

Operational history

A strategic need for improved and intensified training in connection with an ultimate offensive on the Western Front in March 1918 existed. To facilitate this higher standard of training, the C.VIII was introduced towards the end of 1917 with the Flieger Ersatz Abteilungen, i.e. Flying Training Units.

Operators

 German Empire
  • Luftstreitkräfte
    •  Finland
  • Finnish Air Force ordered one aircraft in February 1918. It was used by the Finnish White army as a reconnaissance aircraft. The aircraft remained in Finnish Air Force use until 1924.
    •  Netherlands
  • The Dutch Air Force ordered 40 aircraft in 1918. The aircraft were traded, for among other, 5000 horses. The aircraft were used shortly, because of a number of fires in the aircraft.

    • Specifications (C.VIII)

    Data from Suomen Ilmavoimat I

    General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 8 m (26 ft 3 in)
  • Wingspan: 12.2 m (40 ft 0 in)
  • Height: 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in)
  • Max. takeoff weight: 1,374 kg (3,023 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Argus As III, 134 kW (180 hp)

    • Performance

  • Maximum speed: 140 km/h (75 knots, 86 mph)
  • Endurance: approx. 4 hours
  • Rate of climb: 1000 m /3281 ft in 4´25´´, 2000 m /6562 ft in 11´, 3000 m /9843 ft in ()

    • Armament

  • 1 × machine gun
  • 50 kg (110 lb) of bombs

    • References

    Rumpler C.VIII Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA