J.Herris Albatros Aircraft of WWI. Vol 2: Late Two-Seaters (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 25)

Albatros C.VI

   The final first-generation Albatros C-type to be produced was the C.VI. The C.VI was simply a C.III airframe fitted with a 180 hp Argus As.III engine. The Argus had slightly more power than the 160 hp Mercedes in the C.III but was heavier and lost power more quickly with altitude than the Mercedes. Consequently, the C.VI was slightly faster than the C.III at low altitude but had a lower climb rate and ceiling and was not quite as nimble.
   In any case, engine production generally was the main factor limiting aircraft production, so production of the Argus-powered C.VI was a useful supplement to C.III production.
   Although the Frontbestand inventory for the C.VI peaked at 111 on the end of February 1917, the only known order information was for a batch of 75 aircraft placed in May 1916, so either at least one production batch is unknown or the Frontbestand inventory is in error. Because the Frontbestand table was created after the war by one individual from multiple wartime reports, it is known to contain some errors; the number of Albatros C.VI aircraft listed at the front in February 1917 is likely one of them.


Albatros C-Type Specifications
Albatros C.VI Albatros C.VII Albatros C.VIIIN Albatros C.IX Albatros C.X
Engine 180 hp Argus As.Ill 200 hp Benz Bz.IV 160 hp Mercedes D.m 160 hp Mercedes D.m 260 hp Mercedes D.IVa
Span, Upper 11.7m 12.78 m 16.74 m 10.4 m 14.36 m
Span, Lower - 12.40 m - - 14.00 m
Chord, Upper - 1.80 m - - 1.8 m
Chord, Lower - 1.70 m - - 1.6 m
Gap - 1.83 m - - 1.86 m
Wing Area - 43.4 m2 - - 42.7 m2
Wing Dihedral - 2° (upper &. lower) - - 2° (upper & lower)
Length 7.9 m 8.71 m 7.34 m 8.22 m 9.15 m
Height 3.2 m 3.60 m - 2.735 m 3.40 m
Empty Weight 830 kg 1,030 kg - 790 kg 1,088-1,115 kg
Loaded Weight 1,343 kg 1,546 kg - 1,150 kg 1,668-1,695 kg
Maximum Speed 145 km/h 135 km/h 135 km/h 155 km/h 175 km/h
Climb to 1,000m - 5.5 minutes 5 minutes 5 minutes 3 minutes
Climb to 2,000m - 13 minutes - - 6.5 minutes
Climb to 3,000m 35 minutes 21 minutes - - 11 minutes
Climb to 4,000m - 34 minutes - 30 minutes 21 minutes
Climb to 5,000m 49 minutes
Duration 4.5 hours - - 2.5 hours 3/2 hours
Note: C.VII track 1.95 m


Albatros C.VI Production Orders
Order Date Qty Serials
May 1916 75 C.1775-1849/16
Only one order is known but the 111 C.VI aircraft listed in the Frontbestand inventory for February 1917 make it possible more C.VI aircraft were ordered and built. However, the Frontbestand was compiled post-war and does have errors; this is likely one of them.