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

D.F.W. Pusher Biplane
   No details available on this pusher (Gitterschwanz) two-seater, although the wing cellule would appear to be similar to that of the C V. Possibly, but not certainly, designated C III. Engine, 150 h.p. Benz Bz III.

J.Herris DFW Aircraft of WWI (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 29)

DFW C.III

   DFW built a prototype pusher two-seater shown in the photograph. This aircraft, thought to be designated the DFW C.III, may have remained a single prototype but was photographed with two significantly different radiator arrangements so more than one prototype may have been built. The engine installed in the C.III was the same 150 hp Benz Bz.III that was used in the DFW C.I and C.II.
   Pushers were not popular in Germany and few pusher designs were built. Although pushers had the advantage of unobstructed forward view and field of fire for the observer, the extensive structure supporting the tail created excessive drag, limiting speed and climb. Worse, a gunner in the front cockpit had a limited field of fire to the rear, and none to the rear and below, making pusher aircraft very vulnerable to fighter attack.
   The C.III appears to have been built using the same engine as the tractor C.I and C.II to compare the two configurations. The limitations of the pusher arrangement clearly made the success of such an experiment unlikely, and no production of the pusher was undertaken.


DFW B & C-Type Specifications
DFW C.III
Engine 150 hp Benz Bz.III