O.Thetford, P.Gray German Aircraft of the First World War (Putnam)
Halberstadt C VII
This aircraft, produced late in 1918, was little more than a standard Halberstadt C V airframe fitted with a 245 h.p. Maybach Mb IV engine. It remained only a prototype, probably a test bed for the subsequent C VIII. Armament, one Parabellum and one Spandau machine-gun.
Halberstadt C VIII
Appearing in the summer of 1918, the C VIII would in all probability have followed the C V into production but for the cessation of hostilities. As it was, only one was built. This machine was type tested on 2nd October 1918. It was a large aircraft for a single-bay layout, and seems to have utilised much of the CL IV tail design. Engine, 245 h.p. Maybach Mb IV. Span, 11.985 m. (39 ft. 4 in.). Length, 7.35 m. (24 ft. 1 3/8 in.). Height, 2.95 m. (9 ft. 8 1/8 in.). Area, 33 sq.m. (356 sq.ft.). Weights: Empty, 928 kg. (2,042 lb.). Loaded, 1.363 kg. (2,999 lb.). Speed, 180 km.hr. (112.5 m.p.h.). Climb, 5,000 m. (16,400 ft.) in 21 min. To ceiling 9,000 m. (29,520 ft.) in 58 min. Duration, 34 hr. Armament, one Parabellum and one Spandau machine-gun.
J.Herris Halberstadt Aircraft of WWI. Volume 2: CL.IV-CLS.I & Fighters (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 45)
Halberstadt C.VII
The Halberstadt C.VI apparently remained an unbuilt project so the next Halberstadt C-type design built was the Halberstadt C.VII.
The C.V excelled at the short-range reconnaissance role but crews were disappointed with it for long-range, high-altitude reconnaissance and preferred the Rumpler Rubild Mb for that task.
Ordered in June 1918, the Halberstadt C.VII was a somewhat lighter, smaller, single-bay development of the C.V intended for the long-range, high-altitude reconnaissance role. The engine was a 260 hp Maybach Mb.IVa six-cylinder engine high-altitude motor.
With the C.VII Idflieg wanted to retain the excellent maneuverability and flight qualities of the C.V combined with improved climb and ceiling.
At Adlershof in June the C.VII climbed to 6,000 m in 30 minutes with full load; when it was accepted from the factory the C.VII accomplished it in 29.5 minutes. Idflieg reported that negotiations were in progress regarding the installation of photographic equipment.
On July 27 the C.VII arrived in Adlershof again. Idflieg expected high-altitude flights to be made by the beginning of August. Afterward comparison flights with the Rumpler C.X and Hannover CL.V were to take place since they were also designed for this role. The Rumpler C.X was selected for production.
No further information is available on the Halberstadt C.VII as the similar C.VIII offered better climb and ceiling.
Halberstadt C.VIII
The airframe of the Halberstadt C.VIII was identical to the C.VII except the wing was slightly longer in span. Like the C.VII, the C.VIII was intended for the long-range, high-altitude reconnaissance role. The C.VIII even used the same 260 hp Maybach Mb.IVa six-cylinder engine high-altitude motor used in the C.VII. Only a single prototype with works number 1798 was built.
Due to its slightly larger wing the C.VIII demonstrated better climb and ceiling than the C.VII. The climb performance in the adjacent table was recorded by Idflieg in September 1918.
By 2 October the C.VIII had demonstrated a significant improvement over the C.VII, especially in flight characteristics at high altitude.
Both C.VII and C.VIII mounted a fixed Spandau 08/15 machine gun for the pilot and a flexible Parabellum 14 for the observer. Furthermore, neither arrived in time to be selected for production.
Halberstadt C.VIII Climb
Height in Km. Time in Minutes
0-1 2.5
1-2 3.5
2-3 4.3
3-4 5.7
4-5 7.2
6-6 16.8
6-6.6 80.-
Notes:
The above times were recorded with a 435 kg payload.
With a 510 kg payload the absolute ceiling was 6,300 meters.
The tests were recorded by Idflieg in September 1918.