AGO C.VII

The AGO C.VII was a German two‑seat reconnaissance biplane built by AGO Flugzeugwerke toward the end of World War I. Development began in early 1918 as a direct follow‑up to the earlier C.IV, incorporating a more powerful 200 hp Benz Bz.IVa six‑cylinder inline engine and a refined wing layout that reduced drag and improved climb rate. The aircraft featured a conventional wooden frame covered with fabric, a staggered sesquiplane wing arrangement, and a spacious cockpit that gave the pilot and observer good visibility for artillery spotting and photographic work. Armament consisted of a forward‑firing LMG 08/15 synchronized machine gun and a rear flex‑mounted Parabellum for defensive protection. Although flight tests demonstrated a maximum speed of roughly 180 km/h and a service ceiling of 6,000 m, only a handful of prototypes were completed before the Armistice halted further production. The C.VII is significant because it represented the last evolutionary step of AGO’s C‑type line, showcasing the transition from modest reconnaissance platforms to faster, more robust aircraft that influenced post‑war German designs. Its brief existence illustrates the rapid pace of aeronautical innovation during the final year of the war.

AGO Flugzeugwerke

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Design & Classification