Hannover CL.III

The Hannover CL.III was a German military aircraft of World War I. It was a two-seat multi-role aircraft, primarily used as a ground attack machine. Like the other Hannover "light-C-class", or "CL" designated aircraft designed by Hermann Dorner, it included an unusual biplane tail, allowing for a greater firing arc for the tail gunner. Until the introduction of the aircraft, such tails had only been used on larger aircraft.

Design
Compared to the preceding CL.II, the CL.III had redesigned ailerons with aerodynamic balances that overhung the wingtips, a modification that provided greater manoeuvrability, especially at the low levels that the CL.III was expected to be operating at in its new ground-attack role as the Schutzstaffeln (escort squadrons) were re-assigned as Schlachtstaffeln (battle squadrons). It was also intended that it should use the excellent Mercedes D.III engine, but the Idflieg gave priority for these engines to fighter production, and most CL.IIIs were produced with the same Argus engine that the CL.II had used. The Argus engined variant was designated CL.IIIa.

Variants

 * Hannover CL.III
 * Powered by a 119-kW (160-hp) Mercedes D.III engine.


 * Hannover CL.IIIa
 * CL III powered by a 134-kW (180-hp) Argus As.III engine


 * Hannover CL.IIIb
 * Experimental model of the CL.III, with a two-bay wing.

Operators

 * German Empire
 * Luftstreitkräfte
 * Latvian Air Force - Postwar.
 * Latvian Air Force - Postwar.