Hannover CL.III

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CL.III
Hannover CL IIIa, Forest of Argonne, France, 1918 (restored).jpg
A German Hannover CL.III shot down by American machine gunners in the First World War.
RoleGround attack aircraft
National originGermany
Manufacturer Hannoversche Waggonfabrik
Designer Hermann Dorner
First flight1917
Primary user Luftstreitkräfte
Number built617
Developed from Hannover CL.II

The Hannover CL.III was a German military aircraft of World War I. It was a two-seat multi-role aircraft, primarily used as a ground attack machine. Like the other Hannover "light-C-class", or "CL" designated aircraft designed by Hermann Dorner, it included an unusual biplane tail, allowing for a greater firing arc for the tail gunner. Until the introduction of the aircraft, such tails had only been used on larger aircraft.

Contents

Design

Destroyed German Aircraft -a Hannover CL.III on the Western Front about September 1918 (fate of crew and unit unknown). A German plane brought down in our lines this is a common sight at the front., Bestanddeelnr 158-1999.jpg
Destroyed German Aircraft -a Hannover CL.III on the Western Front about September 1918 (fate of crew and unit unknown).

Compared to the preceding CL.II, the CL.III had redesigned ailerons with aerodynamic balances that overhung the wingtips, a modification that provided greater manoeuvrability, especially at the low levels that the CL.III was expected to be operating at in its new ground-attack role as the Schutzstaffeln (escort squadrons) were reassigned as Schlachtstaffeln (battle squadrons). It was also intended that it should use the excellent Mercedes D.III engine, but the Idflieg gave priority for these engines to fighter production, and most CL.IIIs were produced with the same Argus engine that the CL.II had used. The Argus engined variant was designated CL.IIIa.

After the war, the CL.III was developed into the HaWa F.3, a limousine aircraft with seats for two passengers in an enclosed cabin, where the gunner's cockpit had been.

Variants

Hannover CL.III
Powered by a 119-kW (160-hp) Mercedes D.III engine.
Hannover CL.IIIa
CL III powered by a 134-kW (180-hp) Argus As.III engine
Hannover CL.IIIb
Experimental model of the CL.III, with a two-bay wing.
HaWa F.3
A post-war limousine conversion of CL.III aircraft, with a 2-seat limousine cabin behind the pilot's cockpit and additional struts between the wings and fwd undercarriage strut mounts.

Operators

Flag of the German Empire.svg  German Empire
Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia (Postwar)
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union

Specifications (CL.IIIa)

Hannover CL.III Baubeschreibung drawing, required by IdFlieg submission regulations Hannover CL.III dwg.jpg
Hannover CL.III Baubeschreibung drawing, required by IdFlieg submission regulations

Data fromWindsock Datafile No.23 [1] & German Aircraft of the First World War [2]

General characteristics

or 1x 119.3 kW (160 hp) Mercedes D.III (CL.III)

Performance

Armament

See also

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References

  1. Grosz, Peter M, Windsock Datafile No.23-Hannover Cl.III, Albatros Publications, 1990. ISBN   0-948414-27-8
  2. Gray, Peter; Owen Thetford (1970). German Aircraft of the First World War (2nd ed.). London: Putnam & Company Ltd. pp.  150–153. ISBN   0-370-00103-6.

Bibliography