J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

DFW C.IV C.2379/16 of Flieger-Abteilung 14 on the Eastern Front, Winter 1916/1917.

J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

The DFW T 25 was the factory designation for the production DFW C.IV; this aircraft appears to be a prototype for the C.IV. Although the streamlined plywood fuselage presented a more modern appearance than the DFW C.I and C.II, the engine remained a 150 hp Benz Bz.III as used in those earlier designs. (Peter M. Grosz Collection/SDTB)

J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

Ground crew steady a DFW C.IV of Flieger Abteilung 14 before it starts accelerating for take-off. (Peter M. Grosz Collection/SDTB)

J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

With its rounded plywood fuselage and single-bay bracing the DFW C.IV was a complete departure from earlier DFW C-types. However, the engine remained a 150 hp Benz Bz.III. A leading edge radiator was fitted. An identification streamer is attached to the lower left wing tip and a barograph is suspended between the wings. (Peter M. Grosz Collection/SDTB)

J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

This DFW C.IV was dismantled so it could be shipped to the Russian Front on two freight cars, the fuselage on one car and the wings on another. This method of shipping aircraft to the front was common; trains were more reliable than these early aircraft. The circle on the wing root is likely the magnetic compass housing.

J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

A DFW C.IV on its way to the front on a train. This view shows the dark green upper camouflage and light undersurface camouflage applied to the streamlined fuselage to advantage. The national insignia require white backgrounds over these colors. No individual or unit markings are applied. The weight for the wireless antenna hanging below the fuselage is clearly visible. The serial is difficult to read but appears to be C.2375/16.

J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

The wings of the DFW C.IV shown opposite on its way to the front on a train; the propeller is at far right.

J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

DFW C.IV 2379/16 apparently at the factory. The DFW C.IV was a contemporary of the Roland C.II, and the first production batch of the Roland C.II did not have a fixed, synchronized gun for the pilot due to the lack of available synchronization gear. This seems to have affected the DFW C.IV also as no fixed gun is visible. Later production batches of the Roland C.II had a fixed gun for the pilot, but there were no subsequent production batches of the DFW C.IV.

J.Herris - Weird Wings of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (70)

The rare DFW C.IV was a streamlined, single-bay design powered by a 150 hp Benz Bz.III. It was built in very small numbers and served with Flieger-Abteilung 14 & 15 on the Russian Front.

J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

A ground crewman warms up a DFW C.IV. The rounded plywood fuselage was carefully streamlined and well-finished to minimize drag. (Peter M. Grosz Collection/SDTB)

J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

DFW C.IV and ground crew assigned to FliegerAbteilung 15 on the Eastern Front. (Peter M. Grosz Collection/SDTB)

J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

Vzfw. Karl Reum with a DFW C.IV of FliegerAbteilung 15, Eastern Front. The stenciling on the lower cowling reads: Vorsicht - Vorstecker nicht - herausziehen - Lebensgefahr!, meaning: Attention - Safety pin do not - pull out - Risk of death! (Peter M. Grosz Collection/SDTB)

J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

Men of Flieger Abteilung 14 on the Eastern Front pose for their portrait with a DFW C.IV in winter. From left the men are Uffz. Sonntag, Gefr. Gerber, Uffz. Reum, Gefr. Schickel, Werkm. Grube, unknown. (Peter M. Grosz Collection/SDTB)

J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

Crewman and a DFW C.IV of FliegerAbteilung 15, Eastern Front. (Peter M. Grosz Collection/SDTB)

J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

The crew of a DFW C.IV of FliegerAbteilung 14 (or 15?) poses for their portrait. (Peter M. Grosz Collection/SDTB)

J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

Crew of Flieger Abteilung 15 on the Eastern Front pose for their portrait with a DFW C.IV. The man on the right has a Flieger Abteilung 15 patch on the sleeve of his tunic. (Peter M. Grosz Collection/SDTB)

J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

The crew of a DFW C.IV poses for their portrait; Lt. Hermann is the observer and Uffz. Reims is the pilot. The rounded plywood fuselage was carefully streamlined and well-finished to minimize drag. The C.IV carried a flexible gun for the observer but no fixed gun for the pilot; the first production batch of the Roland C.II was similarly armed. Later production batches of the Roland C.II provided a fixed, synchronized gun for the pilot; however, there was no second production batch for the DFW C.IV, whose performance did not justify greater production. A flare gun and belt of signal flares are attached to the fuselage outside the observer's cockpit. (Peter M. Grosz Collection/SDTB)

J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

A DFW C.IV of Flieger Abteilung 15 on the Eastern Front. (Peter M. Grosz Collection/SDTB)

J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

A couple pose with a DFW C.IV; the locale favors a training aircraft. (Peter M. Grosz Collection/SDTB)

J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

Men of FliegerAbteilung 14 on the Eastern Front pose for their portrait with DFW C.IV C.2379/16.The damaged rudder likely indicates the aircraft over-turned on landing. (Peter M. Grosz Collection/SDTB)

J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

Uncovered lower port wing of a DFW C.IV, work number 492. (Peter M. Grosz Collection/SDTB)

J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

DFW C.IV Factory Scheme Trial Camouflage Reconstruction (c) Piotr Mrozowski

J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

DFW C.IV

J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

DFW C.IV

J.Herris - DFW Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (29)

DFW C.IV