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Halberstadt CL.II
| CL.II | |
|---|---|
| Type | Escort Fighter/Ground Attack Aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Halberstädter Flugzeugwerke |
| Designed by | Karl Theis |
| Maiden flight | 1917 |
| Introduced | 1917 |
| Primary user | Imperial German Army Air Service |
| Number built | 900 |
The Halberstadt CL.II was a German two seat escort fighter/ground attack aircraft of the First World War. It served in large numbers with the German Imperial German Army Air Service in 1917-18.
Contents
Development and design
Early in 1917, Idflieg, the German Army Inspectorate of Flying Troops, developed a requirement for a new type of two seater aircraft, smaller than the existing C-type aircraft. This type, to be known as CL-type aircraft, were to be used to equip Schutzstaffeln (Protection flights) to escort reconnaissance aircraft.[1] To meet this requirement, Halberstadt developed an aircraft based on its earlier, unsuccessful Halberstadt D.IV single seat fighter. Originally designated the Halberstadt C.II, it was re-designated the Halberstadt CL.II when the CL designation was applied.
The CL.II was a single-engined biplane, with an all wooden structure. The fuselage was covered with thin plywood panelling and housed the crew of two in a single cockpit, with the observer's machine gun being mounted on an elevated gun ring, giving a good field of fire, allowing downwards fire at targets on the ground. The single-bay wings were fabric covered, with a swept upper wing.[2]
The CL.II passed its type testing on 7 May 1917, which resulted in production orders being placed. Halberstadt built 700 CL.IIs until being replaced in production by the improved Halberstadt CL.IV in mid 1918, with a further 200 built in 1918 by the Bayerische Flugzugwerke (BFW).[3]
Operational history
The CL.II entered service in August 1917, and proved extremly successful, its excellent manouverability, rate of climb and good field of fire for its armament allowing it to match opposing single-seat fighters.[3] It also proved to be well suited to close-support, which became the primary role of the CL-type aircraft, the units operating them being re-designated Schlachtstaffelen (Battle flights).[4]
Ground support by the Schlachtstaffelen proved very effective, being used both in support of German attacks and to disrupt enemy attacks. An early example of the successful use of CL type aircraft in the ground attack role was during the German counter attack on 30 November 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai, where they were a major factor in the German performance.[5]
The success of the German tactics at Cambrai, including the use of close air support, resulted in the Germans assembling large numbers of CL-types in support of the Spring Offensive in March 1918, with 38 Schlachtstaffelen (equipped with the CL.II, CL.IV and the Hannover CL.III) available, of which 27 were deployed against the British forces during the initial attack Operation Michael[6] The CL.II continued in service until the end of the War.
Variants
- CL.II
- Main production type, powered by Mercedes D.III engine of 112 kW (150 hp).
- CL.IIa
- CL.II fitted with BMW IIIa engine. Few produced for evaluation purposes.[3]
Operators
Specifications (CL.II)
Data from German Aircraft of the First World War [7]
General characteristics
- Crew: Two
- Length: 7.30 m (23 ft 11⅜ in)
- Wingspan: 10.77 m (35 ft 4 in)
- Height: 2.75 m (9 ft 0¼ in)
- Wing area: 27.5 m² (297 ft²)
- Empty weight: 773 kg (1,701 lb)
- Loaded weight: 1,133 kg (2,493 lb)
- Powerplant: 1× Mercedes D.III 6-cylinder water cooled inline engine, 119 kW (160 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 165 km/h (90 knots, 103 mph) at 5,000 m (16,400 ft)
- Service ceiling: 5,090 m[8] (16,600 ft)
- Wing loading: 41.2 kg/m² (8.39 lb/ft²)
- Power/mass: 0.11 kW/kg (0.064 hp/lb)
- Endurance: 3 hr
- Climb to 1,000 m (3,280 ft): 5 min
- Climb to 5,000 m (16,400 ft): 39.5 min
Armament
See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
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References
Notes
Bibliography
- Angelucci, Enzo (ed.). World Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft. London: Jane's, 1981. ISBN 0 7106 0148 4.
- Gray, Peter and Thetford, Owen. German Aircraft of the First World War. London: Putnam, 1962.
- Green, William and Swanborough, Gordon. The Complete Book of Fighters. New York: Smithmark, 1994. ISBN 0-8317-3939-8.
External links
- Halberstadt CL-II Spartacus Educational
- German Two Seaters
Template:Idflieg C-class designations Template:Halberstadt aircraft
Lists relating to aviation | |
|---|---|
| General | Timeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines |
| Military | Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft |
| Notable incidents and accidents | Military aviation · Airliners · General aviation · Famous aviation-related deaths |
| Records | Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft |
| This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Halberstadt CL.II". |
