AEG C.VIII Dr

The AEG C.VIII Dr was a German two‑seat reconnaissance biplane developed during the final months of World War I. Built by the electrical‑engineering firm AEG, which entered aircraft construction in 1915, the C.VIII Dr represented the company's attempt to modernize its C‑type series with a more powerful engine and improved aerodynamics. Powered by a 260 hp Mercedes D.IVa six‑cylinder straight‑engine, the aircraft could reach 180 km/h (112 mph) and had a service ceiling of 5,500 meters. Its wooden frame was covered with fabric, while the upper wing featured a slight sweep and a narrower chord to reduce drag. Armament consisted of a flexible 7.92 mm Spandau machine gun for the observer and a fixed forward‑firing gun for the pilot, complemented by a modest bomb load for tactical strikes. Although only a handful were completed before the Armistice, the C.VIII Dr influenced post‑war designs by demonstrating the benefits of a more powerful inline engine in light reconnaissance platforms. The type also showcased AEG’s engineering versatility, bridging its expertise in electrical systems with aerodynamic innovation, and remains a noteworthy, though rare, example of late‑war German aircraft development.