AEG
AEG C.I
The AEG C.I was a German two‑seat biplane introduced in 1915 as the first armed reconnaissance type built by the electrical‑engineering firm AEG. Developed from the earlier unarmed AEG B.II, the C.I incorporated a forward‑firing, synchronised LMG 08/15 machine gun for the pilot and a flexible Parabellum gun for the observer, giving the aircraft the ability to defend itself and to attack ground targets. Power was supplied by a 120 hp Mercedes D.III inline engine, later upgraded to a 150 hp version, which drove a two‑blade propeller and gave a maximum speed of roughly 140 km/h (87 mph). Its wooden frame with fabric covering, staggered wings and a simple box‑kite tail provided solid handling at the low altitudes typical of artillery spotting missions.
The C.I entered service with the Luftstreitkräfte on the Western Front, where it performed reconnaissance, photo‑mapping, artillery‑adjustment and occasional light bombing. Though quickly superseded by more powerful C‑type aircraft such as the Albatros C.III, the AEG C.I proved the value of arming observation planes and helped define the tactical role of the “C‑class” in World War I aviation, influencing subsequent German designs.
The C.I entered service with the Luftstreitkräfte on the Western Front, where it performed reconnaissance, photo‑mapping, artillery‑adjustment and occasional light bombing. Though quickly superseded by more powerful C‑type aircraft such as the Albatros C.III, the AEG C.I proved the value of arming observation planes and helped define the tactical role of the “C‑class” in World War I aviation, influencing subsequent German designs.
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Classification
Production & History
- Service Entry
- 1915
Design & Classification
- Primary Use
- Manufacturer
- AEG
- Military Designation
- AEG C.I
- Engine
- Bz.III
- Wikidata ID
- Q291350