O.Thetford, P.Gray German Aircraft of the First World War (Putnam)

Albatros C II
   Only a single example of the C II was built, very early in 1916, to assess the possibilities of the "pusher" layout; designated Gitterschwanz (lit. trellis tail) by the Germans. The C II, bearing the military serial C 27/16, was powered with the 150 h.p. Benz Bz III engine and appeared to use a complete set of C I wings and undercarriage chassis.

J.Herris Albatros Aircraft of WWI. Vol 1: Early Two-Seaters (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 24)

Albatros C.II

   The Albatros C.II was a definite departure from typical Albatros practice. German manufacturers wisely avoided the pusher configuration with the high-drag Gitterschwanz (lattice tail), but the C.II was apparently intended to assess that configuration. The C.II had a 150 hp Benz Bz.III and apparently used wings from the C.I. Only one prototype, C.27/15, was built in early 1916.


Albatros C-Type Specifications
Albatros C.II Albatros C.III Albatros C.IV Albatros C.V
Engine 150 hp Benz Bz.III 150 hp Benz Bz.III 160 hp Mercedes D.III 160 hp Mercedes D.III 220 hp Mercedes D.IV
Span, Upper - 11.00 m (short span) 11.70 m (long span) - 12.78 m
Span, Lower - 11.04 m (short span) 11.14m (long span) - 12.44 m
Chord, Upper - 1.80 m - 1.80 m
Chord, Lower - 1.70 m - 1.80 m
Gap - 1.65 m - 1.83 m
Wing Area - 34.37 m2 (short span) 37.10 m2 (long span) - 43.4 m2
Wing Dihedral - 1.75° (upper & lower) - 2° (upper & lower)
Wing Sweepback - 1.70° (upper & lower) - -
Length - 7.95 m - 8.95 m
Height - 3.07 m - 4.5 m
Empty Weight - 771 kg - 1,069 kg
Loaded Weight - 1,271 kg - 1,585 kg
Maximum Speed - 135-150 km/h - 170 km/h
Climb to 1,000m - 5 min best, 8 min avg - 4.5 minutes
Climb to 2,000m - 12.5 min best, 22 min avg - 9.5 minutes
Climb to 3,000m - 25 min best, 45 min avg - 16 minutes
Climb to 4,000m - - - 25 minutes