Country of origin:

Germany

Description:

Two-seat bomber and reconnaissance biplane

Power Plant:

One 172 kw (230 Hp) Benz Bz IVa six-cylinder in-line liquid-cooled engine

Specifications:

Armament:

One 7.92 mm (0.311 in) fixed forward firing Spandau machine gun; one free 7.92 mm (0.311 in) Parabellum machine gun in rear cockpit; bomb racks in rear cockpit

History:

The LVG series of aircraft was designed by Franz Schneider, and developed by Luft-Verkehrs Gesellschaft Johannistal (LVG), this company producing a series of unarmed reconnaissance and bomber aircraft during World War I, aircraft in this series forming part of the equipment of the German Air Force units at the outbreak of war in 1914. In 1915 the need arose for an armed reconnaissance aircraft. LVG produced the C.I, which was basically a B.I airframe strengthened to take a 112 kw (150 hp) Benz Bz III engine. This was the first German operational aircraft fitted with a defensive armament, the observer being provided with a Schneider ring mounting and a Parabellum machine gun. Limited production commenced until the C.II appeared later that year, and it entered widespread service in the tactical reconnaissance, photo-reconnaissance, and general duties roles.

Early models were fitted with the 101 kw (135 hp) Mercedes engine, but the C.II had the 131 kw (175 hp) unit, and the C.IV had a 168 kw (225 hp) Benz unit, the extra power permitting a heavier bomb load. The number of C.IIs produced is not known but it was produced in substantial numbers, being licence built by Ago Flugzeugwerke GmbH, and Otto Werke GmbH. Late production model aircraft were fitted with a fixed forward firing Spandau machine gun.

The C.III was a development, which was smaller but slightly heavier than the C.II. The observer sat in the front seat. It is believed only one example was completed. In 1916 the C.IC appeared fitted with a 164 kw (220 hp) Mercedes D IV engine and had a balanced rudder. In mid 1917 the C.V appeared, this being produced in some numbers and operated alongside the DFW C.V, which was similar in appearance, this being explained by the fact that the former chief designer of DFW was responsible for the LVG aircraft. Up to 115 kg (254 lb) of bombs could be carried below the wings and it was quite successful, being in widespread use during 1917 in the bombing role on both the Western Front and in Palestine. It was used for artillery spotting, photo-reconnaissance and light bombing, and usually operated with an escort of light scouts.

In 1918 the C.VI appeared, of which about 1,000 examples were delivered. It had a deeper, slightly smaller fuselage and had some alterations around the cowling of the engine and no propeller spinner. The slightly staggered wings had plain ailerons and a flush mounted centre-section radiator was installed. There was also some re-design of the horizontal tail surfaces. A variant of this model was the C.VIII which was first built in 1918 and had a high-compression variant of the 179 kw (240 hp) Mercedes Bz Ivu engine, linked double ailerons and other minor improvements.

The main claim to fame of the series was a Model C.II which made the first bombing raid on London by a heavier than air aircraft. This LVG C.II, flown in daylight by Deck Offizier Paul Brandt, with Leut Walther Ilges as observer, on 28 November 1916 at noon flew over Victoria Station and dropped six 10 kg (22 lb) bombs which caused damage and some casualties. The aircraft escaped the British home defences and some reports indicate it was shot down by a French anti-aircraft battery near Dunkirk; however, German records indicate it suffered an engine failure on the return flight and force landed at Boulogne in France.

Late in World War I a number, as many as 70, captured German aircraft were taken to No 2 Aircraft Salvage Depot near London for eventual shipment to Australia for a war museum. However, because of cost, a smaller number were eventually shipped, some 30 to 35 arriving. The numbers vary in the records which survive.

It is known at least four examples of the LVG were captured, a C.V (serial 6867/17), a C.II serial not known, captured by No 4 Squadron AFC at Armentieres in France in 1919; a further C.II serial not known; and a C.VI (serial 7243/18) forced down by a Sopwith Camel of No 4 Squadron near Nieppe in northern France on 9 October 1918.

It seems two examples of the LVG did come to Australia after World War I for exhibition. These aircraft included a C.VI (3163/18 – werke no 4143), also recorded as a C.V, and another C.VI (7243/18 – werke no 4548). The latter was consigned to the Exhibition Buildings in Adelaide, SA with a number of other aircraft, by truck, for display by the Motor Traders Association of South Australia. For a period in the 1930s this aircraft was stored dismantled at Stan Cheesman Motors at Prospect, SA. It was eventually scrapped. LVG 3163/18 (also noted as 3163/17) was noted in the 1920s in the AWM records as “displayed in crashed state”. The latter remained in Melbourne and was noted as “Browns victim”, and it is believed to have been forced down in Palestine by Captain A R Brown, AFC. A photograph of this aircraft is in the collection of the Australian War Memorial.

An LVG was shot down by Lieutenant Hudson Fysh (later Sir, co-founder of Qantas) in Palestine in 1918. Another was shot down in September 1916 by AFC pilot Stanley Goble, well known for later flying a Fairey III around Australia, he later becoming an Air Vice Marshall with the RAAF. An LVG was shot down by Bristol Fighters flown by Captain Alan Brown and Garfield Finlay of No 1 Squadron AFC (see above) when it flew over their aerodrome on 22 August 1918. Crashing close to the Squadron’s base, men of the unit souvenired parts of the aircraft, including the German Cross from the fuselage. Both pilots later received the DFC.

One LVG C.VI (7198/18) survived in an airworthy condition with the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden in Bedfordshire, UK for many years but has been grounded and placed on display at the RAF Museum at Hendon after restoration at RAF Cosford. Another LVG, an original C.VI, has been restored by The Memorial Flight Workshop at Dugny in France for the Musee de l’Air at de l’Espace at Le Bourget.

An LVG reproduction has been completed for The Vintage Aviator Limited of Masterton, New Zealand. This aircraft was completed by The Memorial Flight in Paris as a C.VI and painted with the serial 4802/18, carrying the names of the original aircraft on each side of the nose, the name Eleynor on the port side and Mia on the starboard side, being flown as G-AZVE. It is powered by a 149 kw (200 hp) Benz Bz IV engine and made its first flight on 6 June 2014. It is finished in the markings of Lieutenants Weymar and Haselhoff as the original was flown in September 1918. After further testing it was shipped to New Zealand and took up residence at Hood Aerodrome at Masterton, becoming ZK-LVG (c/n MF-01).