Albatros C.X Biplane Reconnaissance Aircraft - History, Specs and Pictures

Authored By Staff Writer | Last Updated: 7/6/2010

The Albatros C.X paved the way for the even more effective Albatros C.XII variant.

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The Albatros production of the C.X model continued the firm's commitment to producing capable reconnaissance biplane aircraft. Supplanting the earlier C-series types before it, the C.X model looked to improved upon an already successful family of aircraft by adding more in the way of aerodynamic design and improved powerplants. The result would be a good performing and longer-distance C.X, which would ultimately set the stage for the best C-series variant in the form of the C.XII.

The C.X was fitted with the powerful and newly-designed Mercedes D.IVa engine that improved performance and reliability from earlier models. The C.V variant series suffered from a less-than-reliable Mercedes design that attributed the loss of aircraft more to accident than enemy fire. The resulting boost in performance offered up an extended range for this new C.X, and the system would be fielded in the Front from the summer of 1917 onwards.

As with its predecessors, the C.X biplane sat two crewmembers back-to-back in the cockpit area. The pilot was positioned at front, offering up a traditional field of view under and behind the top wing system and behind the engine. An observer/rear gunner manned a ring-mounted array of 7.5mm Parabellum machine guns and was offered up a great field of fire from this position. Additional stores in the way of light bombs could also be carried.

As successful as the C.X was in the reconnaissance role, the system was replaced with the ultimate C-series aircraft in the form of the C.XII. The addition of this new variant would ensure that the C-series as a whole would be present throughout the final years of the war, ending in 1918. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Albatros C.X
Biplane Reconnaissance Aircraft

Country of Origin: Imperial Germany
Manufacturer: Albatros Flugzeugwerke - Germany
Initial Year of Service: 1917
Production: Not Available

Focus Model: Albatros C.X
Crew: 2

Length: 30.02ft (9.15m)
Width: 47.11ft (14.36m)
Height: 11.15ft (3.40m)
Weight (Empty): 3,677lbs (1,668kg)
Weight (MTOW): 0lbs (0kg)

Powerplant: 1 x Mercedes D.IVa 6-cylinder liquid-cooled inline engine.

Maximum Speed: 109mph (175kmh; 94kts)
Maximum Range: 0miles (0km)
Service Ceiling: 16,404ft (5,000m; 3.1miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 0 feet per minute (0m/min)

Hardpoints: 2
Armament Suite:
2 x 7.5mm Parabellum machine guns in ring-mounted rear cockpit position.

Variants:
C.I - Initial C-series model; based on the B.II unarmed reconnaissance biplane; 1 x 7.5mm machine gun in rear gunner position; Mercedes D.III engine delivering 160hp.

C.III - Derived from the B.III reconaaissance biplane; 1 or 2 x 7.5mm machine guns in rear gunner position; Mercedes D.III engine delivering 160hp.

C.V - Developed from the C.III; 2 x 7.5mm machine guns in rear gunner position; Mercedes D.IV 8-cylinder engine delivering 220hp; refined fuselage design.

C.VII - Replacement Model beginning in mid-1916 for the underperforming C.V model.

C.X - Improved over the C.V design; fitted with Mercedes D.IVa engine delivering 260hp; refined fuselage design.

C.XII - Regarded as best of te C-series; in service through the end of the war; refined fuselage design.

Operators:
Imperial Germany

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