The Halberstadt CL.II was a German two-seat fighter and ground attack aircraft flown during World War One by the Luftstreitkräfte, (the Imperial German Army Air Service) between 1917 and 1918.
History
In early 1917, the German Army Inspectorate of Flying Troops put out a requirement for a new 2-seat aircraft that was to fulfil their need for an agile fighter which would be effective in escorting reconnaissance aircraft and an effective ground attack aircraft. Halberstadt began development of an a new aircraft that they based off an unsuccessful aircraft they had made earlier in the war, the Halberstadt D.IV.
The CL.II would pass it’s testing on the 7th of May 1917 where it would enter service in August of that year. Throughout it’s wartime service the CL.II would prove itself to be a capable fighter where it’s excellent manoeuvrability and rate of climb meant it often could match enemy fighters despite the extra weight of being a two-seater design. It was also very successful in it’s role as a ground attacker where it was used to support the German attacks and disrupt the enemy attacks. On the 30th of November 1917, the Battle of Cambrai, it proved it’s worth during the German counterattack where it was effective in supressing the enemy positions was a significant factor of the German’s performance during the battle.
After seeing the CL.II’s success during the Battle of Cambrai, particularly in it’s close air support actions, Germany started assembling the aircraft en masse to support their Spring Offensive in March 1918.
After the war had ended Germany was forced to cease use of the Halberstadt CL.II and the rest of their aircraft as the Treaty of Versailles forbade Germany from having an air force. However the CL.II still continued service but instead with the Lithuanian and Polish air forces.
Performance
- Max Speed - 165kph (103mph)
- Rate of Climb - 2.8m/s (550ft/min)
- Operational Range - 500km (311mi)
- Service Ceiling - 5,100m (16,732ft)
Specifications
-
Weight
Empty Weight - 773kg (1,704lbs)
Max Weight - 1,133kg (2,498lbs) -
Engine
1 x Mercedes D.III 6-Cylinder Water-Cooled In-Line Piston Engine - 160hp (120kW) -
Size
Wingspan - 10.77m (35ft 4in)
Length - 7.3m (23ft 11in)
Height - 2.72m (9ft)
Wing Area - 27.5m² (296sq ft) -
Armament
Guns:
1 x Forward Facing 7.92mm LMG 08/15 “Spandau” machine gun
1 x Rear Mounted 7.92mm Parabellum MG14 machine gun for use by the observer
Bombs:
10 x Stielhandgranate
5 x 10kg (22lbs) Wurfgranaten 15 Trench Mortar Fragmentation Bombs
Pictures
Halberstadt CL.II being loaded up with 10 stick grenades and Wurfgranaten 15 bombs.
The only surviving CL.II in the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków. This CL.II was the personal aircraft of General Ernst Von Hoeppner, the commander of the Luftstreitkräfte.
- Yes
- No
- Standard TT (Lower than reserve tier, 0.0-0.7)
- Standard TT (Replacing current reserve tier, move everything else up 1 BR)
- Premium
- Event
- Separate WW1 TT
- I said I don’t want it
- 0.0
- 0.3
- 0.7
- New reserve tier (everything else would go up 1 BR)
- For the last time I said I don’t want it