AEG C.V

AEG

Industry	Aerospace, Defense
Headquarters	Germany

The AEG C.V was a prototype reconnaissance biplane featuring two seats, constructed by Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft (AEG) amid the First World War. It was intended for use by the Imperial German Air Service (Luftstreitkräfte) of the Imperial German Army (Deutsches Heer). Engineered to incorporate a more powerful powerplant than earlier AEG C-type reconnaissance models, this aircraft ultimately fell short in comparison to rival prototypes powered by the same engine, leading to the cessation of its development.

Development

Following the introduction of the water-cooled 220-horsepower (160 kW) Mercedes D.IV straight-eight piston engine in December 1915, the Inspectorate of Flying Troops (Inspektion der Fliegertruppen or Idflieg) commissioned prototype reconnaissance planes from AEG, Albatros, and LVG. AEG created the C.V concurrently with the AEG C.IV model, which employed the Mercedes D.III straight-six engine; both shared numerous design elements, including armament consisting of one fixed forward-firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) LMG 08/15 machine gun and a similarly calibered Parabellum MG 14 machine gun mounted flexibly for the observer.

The single prototype was finalized in February 1916. Despite having an extra 60 hp (45 kW), its performance only marginally surpassed that of the C.IV, offering a slight increase in speed and a modest improvement in climb rate. Although no records remain regarding its flight evaluation by Idflieg, it was not chosen for mass production unlike its two competitors, which presumably demonstrated superior flying characteristics or overall performance.

Bibliography

• Gray, Peter & Thetford, Owen (1987) [1970]. German Aircraft of the First World War (2nd ed.). London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-809-7.
• Herris, Jack (2015). A.E.G. Aircraft of WWI: A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes. Great War Aviation Centennial Series. Vol. 16. n. p.: Aeronaut Books. ISBN 978-1-935881-28-5.