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

Schutte-Lanz C I
   Originally founded in 1909 for the manufacture of dirigible airships, Luftfahrzeugbau Schutte-Lanz also undertook the construction of aircraft during the war. Ago and L.V.G. two-seaters were built in some numbers under licence, as were a few Staaken Giants. None of the firm's own designs progressed beyond the prototype stage. First original design was this pusher, twin-boom (Gitterschwanz) two-seater C I of 1915. With the nacelle mounted direct to the upper wing, the gunner in the nose cockpit was afforded a good all-round field of fire. Only the single machine was built. Engine, 160 h.p. Mercedes D III. Armament, one Parabellum machine-gun.

J.Herris German Aircraft of Minor Manufacturers in WW1. Vol II (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 50)

Schutte-Lanz

   Registered on 1 June 1909, in Mannheim to construct airships, Luftfahrzeugbau Schutte-Lanz constructed aircraft under license from Ago, LVG, and Staaken during the war. Aircraft production was estimated as a minimum total of 569 of the types shown in the table below.
   The IAACC reported the following aeronautical materials found in the factory: 304 aircraft (including 266 LVG biplanes without engines), and 17 engines.
   Wilhelm Hillman is usually credited as the designer of the Schutte-Lanz D.I, a copy of the Sopwith Tabloid that appeared in 1915. Research by the late P.M. Grosz indicates that Hillman was the chief engineer, while Stein was the designer. There is a distinction in German and often “der Konstrukteur” is not the chief engineer. (Letter: P.M.G. to J.M.B. 13.08.1989. RAF Museum JM Bruce Collection Box 44.)

Schutte-Lanz License Production
Type Motor hp No. Notes
B.II 100-120 200 School machines
LVG B.III 100-120 300 The LVG B.III was designed as a trainer.
AGO C.IV 200 Benz 66 Production stopped early due to problems with the design.
Staaken R.XIV 5 x 260 Maybach 3 Two (2) completed in 1919.
Source: Rapport Technique, Commission Interalliee de Controle Aeronautique en Allemagne.


Schutte-Lanz C.I

   The first original Schutte-Lanz airplane design was the C.I pusher built in 1915. Power was a 160 hp Mercedes D.III. The gunner in the front cockpit was provided with a flexible Parabellum machine gun.
   The only pusher two-seaters placed in production were the Otto C.I and Ago C.I and no production of the Schutte-Lanz C.I was undertaken.