Albatros C

The Albatros C was a two‑seat, single‑engine reconnaissance and trainer aircraft produced by the German manufacturer Albatros Flugzeugwerke during the late World War I period. First flown in early 1916, the type evolved from the earlier Albatros B series, incorporating a more powerful Mercedes D.III inline engine that delivered approximately 160 horsepower. This upgrade gave the C a top speed of around 165 km/h (103 mph) and a service ceiling near 4,500 meters, making it suitable for short‑range observation, artillery spotting and pilot instruction. Its wooden frame, plywood‑clad fuselage and fabric‑covered wings were typical of the era, while the addition of a forward‑firing synchronized machine gun and a rear flexible gun provided limited defensive capability. Over 400 examples were built, serving on both the Western and Eastern fronts, and later influencing the design of post‑war civil aircraft such as the Albatros L 73. The Albatros C demonstrated the transition from unarmed reconnaissance biplanes to armed, multi‑role platforms, helping to shape tactical aerial doctrine and establishing Albatros as a leading German aircraft producer during the conflict. Its legacy endured into the interwar years, influencing trainer designs and preserving the Albatros reputation for robust engineering.