AEG C.IV

The AEG C.IV was a German two‑seat reconnaissance biplane produced by Allgemeine Elektricitäts‑Gesellschaft (AEG) during the latter part of World War I. First flown in early 1917, it was developed from the earlier C.III model to meet the Idflieg requirement for a faster, more robust observation aircraft capable of both artillery spotting and light bombing. Powered by a 220 hp Mercedes D.IVa straight‑six engine, the C.IV could reach a top speed of about 170 km/h and offered a service ceiling of 5,500 m, giving crews a noticeable advantage over older front‑line types. Its wooden fuselage was covered with fabric, while the wings employed a staggered sesquiplane layout that improved lift‑to‑drag ratio and handling at altitude. Armament consisted of a flexible 7.92 mm Parabellum machine gun for the observer, a fixed forward‑firing gun for the pilot, and provision for up to 120 kg of small bombs. Approximately 300 examples were built before the armistice, serving with units on both the Western and Eastern fronts. The C.IV’s combination of reliable power, decent range and adaptable payload made it a valuable asset for battlefield intelligence, influencing post‑war German and foreign biplane designs and illustrating the rapid evolution of military aviation during the 1910s.

AEG

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