J.Herris German Aircraft of Minor Manufacturers in WW1. Vol I (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 49)

Caspar

   The Hanseatische Flugzeugwerke (Hanseatic Aircraft Works of Karl Caspar Ltd) was located in Fuhlsbuttel, Flugplatz, Hamburg. The initial firm was founded in November 1911, the alteration to the title being made in January 1917. Caspar had dealings with the Austrian industrialist Castillio Castiglioni that led to his Company becoming part of the Brandenburg empire. In late 1916, Caspar was released from Naval service and he founded Hanseatische Flugzeugwerke Karl Caspar A.G.
   In the summer of 1916 their flying school burnt down when there was an explosion in the Zeppelin hangar. New facilities were built and the construction works and airship hangar were enlarged to take the new airships, the Navy signing a contract with the Company to use the facilities.
   The Company repaired machines and built new aircraft. It specialised in the repair of G-type aircraft. In summer 1917 it licence-produced the Albatros C.III, and then Friedrichshafen G.III bombers. During the war it produced 200 Albatros C.III biplanes, 93 Friedrichshafen G.III and G.IIIa bombers, as well as a large quantity of spare parts.
   In 1917 the firm repaired 15 machines per month, and in 1918 built 35 C-types per month, repaired five G-types per month, as well as spare part manufacturing. In 1918 the school graduated 155 pupils.
   The IAACC found 75 aircraft and 48 motors as well as a large quantity of spare parts when it inspected the factory. The Caspar D.I twin rotary engine fighter was designed by Karl Caspar, the only non-licensed machine produced by the company during the war, - the U 1 was completed postwar.