Halberstadt C.V

The Halberstadt C.V was a German two‑seat reconnaissance biplane introduced late in World War I, produced by the Halberstadt company at its Brandenburg‑Briest plant. First flown in early 1918, it was intended to replace the earlier C.III series and to give German aerial observers a more capable platform for artillery spotting, photographic work and limited light‑bombing missions. The aircraft featured a conventional single‑bay biplane layout with staggered wings of equal span, a robust wooden frame covered in fabric, and a streamlined, rounded fuselage that reduced drag compared to its predecessors. Power was supplied by a 220 hp Benz Bz.IV six‑cylinder inline engine, delivering a top speed of roughly 170 km/h (105 mph) and a service ceiling of 5 800 m, while its generous fuel capacity allowed sorties of up to four hours.

Armament consisted of a fixed forward‑firing Spandau LMG for the pilot and a flexible Parabellum machine gun for the observer, plus provisions for small bombs beneath the wings. Although only a limited number were built before the Armistice, the C.V demonstrated the evolution of German reconnaissance design toward greater speed, endurance and crew coordination. Its aerodynamic refinements and balanced performance influenced post‑war civil aircraft and underscored Halberstadt’s role in advancing multipurpose military aviation during the final phase of the conflict.