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{{Infobox aircraft
|name = AEG C.IV
|image = AEGC4.jpg
|caption =
|type = Reconnaissance aircraft
|manufacturer = [[AEG (German company)|Allgemeine Elektrizitäts-Gesellschaft]]
|designer =
|first_flight =
|introduction = 1916
|retired =
|status =
|primary_user = ''[[Luftstreitkräfte]]''
|more_users = [[Ottoman Air Force|Turkish Flying Corps]] <br/> [[Polish Air Force]]
|produced =
|number_built = 687 (Leon)
|unit cost =
|variants =
}}
The '''AEG C.IV''' was a two-seat [[biplane]] [[reconnaissance aircraft]] designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer [[AEG (German company)|Allgemeine Elektrizitäts-Gesellschaft]].
The C.IV was developed from the earlier [[AEG C.II]] in response to an urgent requirement from the [[Luftstreitkräfte]] (Imperial German Army Air Service) for better fixed-wing [[aerial reconnaissance]] platforms. Featuring a relatively short fuselage in comparison to its wingspan, it appeared somewhat ungainly. The aircraft's structure was largely composed of steel tubing; uncommon features of the design included a distinctive 'bite' on the [[trailing edge]] of the wing on production aircraft, and the three-position adjustable tail plane incidence. To accelerate production, the Dutch aircraft manufacturer [[Fokker]] were ordered to produce the C.IV [[Licensed production|under license]].
Entering service with the Luftstreitkräfte during 1916, the C.IV promptly proved itself to be a capable aircraft. In addition to performing reconnaissance missions, it was also used as a [[bomber escort]], despite being inadequately powered for this role. Several variants, including the ''C.IV.N'' and the ''C.IVa'', were developed. It continued to be operated by the Luftstreitkräfte through to the [[Armistice of 11 November 1918|end of the conflict]]. In addition to its use by the German Empire, the C.IV also drew the attention of other nations, both the [[Ottoman Air Force|Turkish Flying Corps]] and [[Polish Air Force]] would operate numerous aircraft while other nations, such as Belgium, evaluated the type. It saw extensive combat use during the [[Polish-Soviet War]] of 1919-1920 prior to being withdrawn for good during the early 1920s.
==Design and development==
By 1916, a growing number of senior officers within the [[Luftstreitkräfte]] (Imperial German Army Air Service) were advocated for greater emphasis to be placed upon [[aerial reconnaissance]], noting both its value and the increased capability for such missions that the production of a new generation of purpose-build reconnaissance aircraft could bring to Germany's war effort.<ref name="Gray 3"/> As such, several factories were tasked with the rapid development and production of C type aircraft with the intention of equipping several new frontline squadrons as soon as feasibly possible. It was under this programme that the C.IV would be selected and placed into production.<ref name="Gray 3">Gray and Thetford 1970, p. 3.</ref>
The design of the C.IV was heavily derived from the earlier [[AEG C.II]], the most visually obvious differences being the new aircraft's enlarged wingspan and the adoption of an additional forward-firing Spandau-type 7.92&nbsp;mm (.312&nbsp;in) [[machine gun]]. It had a relatively short fuselage that gave it a somewhat ungainly appearance.<ref name="Gray 3"/> Structurally, aside from the wooden ribs within the wing, various gauges of steel tubing were used, the fuselage featuring braced box-girder construction, which was mostly [[welding|weld]]ed together; this construction approach was uncommon at the time amongst German aircraft. Key locations were strengthened via steel [[lug nut]]s, which were also used as mounting points for the attachment of bracing cables.<ref name="Gray 3"/>
The C.IV was powered by a single [[Mercedes D.III]] six-cylinder inline [[piston engine]], capable of producing up to 160&nbsp;hp, that was housed within the aircraft's bulbous nose.<ref name="Gray 3"/> A sizable [[radiator]] was located on the direct underside of the aircraft's main spar to cool the engine, while a large exhaust manifold was set above the top wing.<ref name="Gray 3"/> The wings were supported by a pair of steel tube spars; the wooden ribs were interspaced with false ribs while the [[aileron]] wires ran inside a steel tube in the lower wing mounted after aft of front spar, providing additional structural strength.<ref name="Gray 4"/> The [[trailing edge]] of the wing was slightly scalloped, as per typical German aircraft conventions of the era, and had a distinctive 'bite' on production aircraft. Both the tail surfaces and ailerons were unbalanced and featured metal construction; a somewhat unique feature was the adjustable tail plane incidence.<ref name="Gray 4">Gray and Thetford 1970, p. 4.</ref>
In order to achieve a sufficient rate of production, multiple companies were engaged in the programme. The Dutch aircraft manufacturer [[Fokker]] were ordered to produce the C.IV [[Licensed production|under license]], despite the alleged dissatisfaction of the company's founder, [[Anthony Fokker]].<ref name="Gray 3"/> By June 197, around 170 aircraft were believed to have been in service across all battlefronts of the [[Central Powers]]; as late as August 1918, at least 40 C.IVs remained in an operational condition.<ref name="Gray 5">Gray and Thetford 1970, p. 5.</ref>
The C.IV was easily the most successful of AEG's [[World War I|First World War]]-era B- and C-type reconnaissance aircraft, roughly 687 were reportedly built while the model remained in service right up to the end of the conflict. Various initiatives were undertaken towards improving the aircraft. One variant that was developed in 1917, the ''C.IV.N'', was designed specifically as a prototype night [[bomber]]; it was outfitted with the [[Benz Bz.III]] engine used in other C-types along with a lengthened wingspan. Another variant, the ''C.IVa'', was powered by a 130&nbsp;kW (180&nbsp;hp) [[Argus As III]] engine.<ref name="Gray">Gray and Thetford 1970, pp. 3-5.</ref>
A large number of 91 C.IVs were captured by the Polish in 1919, the majority of them having been in [[Poznań]] during the [[Greater Poland Uprising (1918–19)|Greater Poland Uprising]].<ref name=morg/> Most of these aircraft were retained and entered service with the newly emerged [[Polish Air Force]].  It became one of the service's standard aircraft, and was frequently used to conduct reconnaissance, bombing, and strafing actions during [[Polish-Soviet War]] of 1919–1920. Shortly after the conflict's end, the majority of Polish C.IVs were permanently withdrawn.<ref name=morg>Morgała, Andrzej (1997). ''Samoloty wojskowe w Polsce 1918-1924''. Warsaw, Poland: Lampart. {{ISBN|83-86776-34-X}}, p. 12 {{in lang|pl}}</ref>
==Operators==
[[File:AEG C.IVN 1916 (lfq).jpg|thumb|AEG C.IVN]]
;{{BUL}}: [[Bulgarian Air Force]]
;{{flag|German Empire}}: [[Luftstreitkrafte]]
;{{flag|Kingdom of Hejaz}}: [[Hejaz Air Force]] - single example, not airworthy<ref>{{cite journal |last = Andersson |first = Lennart |title = Wings Over the Desert: Aviation on the Arabian Peninsula Part One: Saudi Arabia |journal = Air Enthusiast |year = 2004 |page = 39}}</ref>
;{{flag|Poland}}: [[Polish Air Force]] - up to 91 aircraft, used postwar<ref name=morg/>
;{{TUR}}: [[Ottoman Air Force]]
==Specifications (AEG C.IV)==
[[File:AEG C.IV 1917.jpg|thumb|AEG C.IV]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref= ''German Aircraft of the First World War''<ref name="Gray"/>
|prime units?= met<!-- imp or kts first for US aircraft, and UK aircraft pre-metrification,
met(ric) first for all others. You MUST choose a format, or no specifications will show -->
<!--
General characteristics
-->
|genhide=
|crew= 2
|capacity=
|length m= 7.15
|length ft=
|length in=
|length note=
|span m= 13.46
|span ft=
|span in=
|span note=
|height m= 3.35
|height ft=
|height in=
|height note=
|wing area sqm= 39
|wing area sqft=
|wing area note=
|swept area sqm=<!-- swing-wings -->
|swept area sqft=<!-- swing-wings -->
|swept area note=
|volume m3=<!-- lighter-than-air -->
|volume ft3=<!-- lighter-than-air -->
|volume note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- give where relevant eg sailplanes  -->
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg= 800
|empty weight lb=
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg= 1,120
|gross weight lb=
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=
|max takeoff weight lb=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|lift kg=<!-- lighter-than-air -->
|lift lb=<!-- lighter-than-air -->
|lift note=
|more general=
<!--
Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number= 1
|eng1 name= [[Mercedes D.III]]
|eng1 type= six-cylinder, water-cooled, inline piston engine
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines --> 120
|eng1 hp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng1 lbf=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng1 note=
|power original=
|thrust original=
|eng1 kn-ab=<!-- afterburners -->
|eng1 lbf-ab=<!-- afterburners -->
|eng2 number=<!-- for different engine types -->
|eng2 name=
|eng2 type=
|eng2 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng2 hp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng2 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng2 lbf=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng2 note=
|eng2 kn-ab=<!-- afterburners -->
|eng2 lbf-ab=<!-- afterburners -->
|eng3 number=<!-- for different engine types -->
|eng3 name=
|eng3 type=
|eng3 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng3 hp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng3 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng3 lbf=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng3 note=
|eng3 kn-ab=<!-- afterburners -->
|eng3 lbf-ab=<!-- afterburners -->
|more power=
|prop blade number=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop name=
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop note=
|rot number=<!-- helicopters -->
|rot dia m=<!-- helicopters -->
|rot dia ft=<!-- helicopters -->
|rot dia in=<!-- helicopters -->
|rot area sqm=<!-- helicopters -->
|rot area sqft=<!-- helicopters -->
|rot area note=
<!--
Performance
-->
|perfhide=
|max speed kmh= 158
|max speed mph=
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=
|max speed mach=<!-- supersonic aircraft -->
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed kts=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=<!-- aerobatic -->
|stall speed mph=<!-- aerobatic -->
|stall speed kts=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed kmh=
|minimum control speed mph=
|minimum control speed kts=
|minimum control speed note=
|range km= 450
|range miles=
|range nmi=
|range note=
|combat range km=
|combat range miles=
|combat range nmi=
|combat range note=
|ferry range km=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range nmi=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown --> four hours
|ceiling m= 5,000
|ceiling ft=
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|glide ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|climb rate ms= 2.78
|climb rate ftmin=
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude= 1,000m in six minutes
|sink rate ms=<!-- sailplanes -->
|sink rate ftmin=<!-- sailplanes -->
|sink rate note=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|disk loading kg/m2=
|disk loading lb/sqft=
|disk loading note=
|power/mass=
|thrust/weight=
|more performance=
<!--
Armament
-->
|guns= * 1 × forward-firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) [[MG 08|LMG 08/15 "Spandau"]] machine gun
* 1 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) [[Parabellum MG14]] machine gun in ring mount for observer
|bombs= * Bomb load up to 100 kg (220 lb)
|avionics=
}}
==See also==
{{aircontent|
|related=
* [[AEG C.II]]
* [[AEG J.I]]
|similar aircraft=
|lists=
|see also=
}}
==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}
===Bibliography===
{{Commons category|AEG C.IV}}
* {{cite journal |last1 = Klaauw |first1 = Bart van der |title = Unexpected Windfalls: Accidentally or Deliberately, More than 100 Aircraft 'arrived' in Dutch Territory During the Great War |journal = Air Enthusiast |date = March–April 1999 |issue = 80 |pages = 54–59 |issn = 0143-5450}}
* {{cite book |last1 = Gray |first1 = Peter |first2 = Owen |last2 = Thetford |title = German Aircraft of the First World War |publisher = Putnam |location = London, UK |year = 1970 |edition = 2nd |isbn = 0-370-00103-6}}
* {{cite book |last1 = Kroschel |first1 = Günter |last2 = Stützer |first2 = Helmut |title = Die deutschen Militärflugzeuge 1910-18 |publisher = Wilhelmshaven |date = 1977}}
* {{cite journal |last1 = Neulen |first1 = Hans-Werner |last2 = Cony |first2 = Christophe |name-list-style = amp |title = Les aigles du Kaiser en Terre Sainte |journal = Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire |date = August 2000 |issue = 89 |pages = 34–43 |trans-title = The Kaiser's Eagles in the Holy Land |language = fr |issn = 1243-8650}}
* {{cite book |last = Nowarra |first = Heinz |title = Die Entwicklung der Flugzeuge 1914-18 |publisher = München |date = 1959}}
* {{cite book |last = Sharpe |first = Michael |title = Doppeldecker, Dreifachdecker & Wasserflugzeuge |location = Gondrom |publisher = Bindlach |date = 2001 |ISBN = 3-8112-1872-7}}
{{AEG aircraft}}
{{Idflieg C-class designations}}
{{World War I Aircraft of the Central Powers}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:AEG aircraft|C.IV]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Biplanes]]
[[Category:1910s German military reconnaissance aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1916]]