Aerowerke Gustav Otto AGO C.II

The C.II was the product of the Aerowerke Gustav Otto aircraft firm, abbreviated as AGO in the designation, and is often regarded as one of the best reconnaissance aircraft of the First World War. Serving just a short span, the aircraft nevertheless fulfilled the role capably and would only give way to the changing technologies of war time design. In the end, it would still be a revolutionary design for its time, incorporating design and engineering features that would have appeared to be conceptual or breakthrough at the time.

Design was of a conventional biplane layout with accommodations for two crew members. Armament was limited to one machine gun for self-defense. The most distinct feature of the AGO C.II was in that the powerplant utilized a “pusher-type” design instead of the more traditional puller systems available. Additionally, the C.II was also engineered with twin tail booms, a design feature that would later go on to make the World War Two-era P-38 Lightnings and the P-61 Black Widows so identifiable over twenty five years later.

Performance for the C.II was above average in terms of maneuverability and overall speed. Top speed for the aircraft was listed at 86 miles per hour, assisted along by the single 220 horsepower Benz VI 6-cylinder liquid-cooled inline engine. Range was a respectable 360 miles to boot. In all, the C.II performed admirably well from 1915 on, replaced by more conventional and modernized types before the end of the war.

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Last Revision: 6/14/2009