Hannover CL.III


The Hannover CL.III was a two-seat, single-bay biplane built by the Hannoversche Waggonfabrik during the First World War for the Imperial [German Army]'s Imperial German Air Service. It was a multi-role aircraft derived from the CL.II, used to escort reconnaissance aircraft and as a ground-attack machine. It entered service early in 1918.

Development

The CL.III was derived from the CL.II; its airframe was lightened and strengthened to improve performance and it was designed to use the water-cooled Mercedes D.III straight-six engine rather than the Argus As.III engine even though most D.III engines were reserved for fighters. In the event most aircraft used the readily available As.III engines. The Argus-engined variant was designated CL.IIIa. The aircraft had redesigned ailerons with aerodynamic balances that overhung the wingtips, a modification that provided greater manoeuvrability, especially at the low levels that it was expected to be operating at in its new ground-attack role as the Schutzstaffeln were reassigned as Schlachtstaffeln. Like the other Hannover "light-C-class", or "CL" designated aircraft designed by Hermann Dorner, it included an unusual tail structure, with two horizontal stabilizers which allowed a wider field of fire for the observer.
The CL.IIIb was an experimental aircraft that that was used to evaluate the NAG C.III engine. After the war, a single CL.III was developed into the HaWa F.3, a limousine aircraft with seats for two passengers in an enclosed cabin where the gunner's cockpit had been.

Variants

;Hannover CL.III
;Hannover CL.IIIa
;Hannover CL.IIIc
;HaWa F.3

Operators

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