OVERVIEW
A variety of builders manufactured the Etrich Taube - though the most famous of these became Rumpler whose aircraft saw combat service in World War 1.
A variety of builders manufactured the Etrich Taube - though the most famous of these became Rumpler whose aircraft saw combat service in World War 1.
YEAR: 1910
STATUS: Retired, Out-of-Service
MANUFACTURER(S): Rumpler Flugzeugwerke - Imperial Germany
PRODUCTION: 120
OPERATORS: Argentina; Austria-Hungary; Bulgaria; China; Imperial Germany; Kingdom of Italy; Norway; Ottoman Empire (Turkey); Switzerland
SPECIFICATIONS
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Rumpler 4C Taube model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Rumpler 4C Taube model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
CREW: 2
LENGTH: 32.48 feet (9.9 meters)
WIDTH: 46.92 feet (14.3 meters)
HEIGHT: 10.50 feet (3.2 meters)
WEIGHT (EMPTY): 1,433 pounds (650 kilograms)
WEIGHT (MTOW): 1,874 pounds (850 kilograms)
ENGINE: 1 x Mercedes Typ E4F 4-cylinder water-cooled engine developing 86 horsepower driving a two-bladed propeller unit at the nose.
SPEED (MAX): 62 miles-per-hour (100 kilometers-per-hour; 54 knots)
RANGE: 87 miles (140 kilometers; 76 nautical miles)
CEILING: 6,562 feet (2,000 meters; 1.24 miles)
ARMAMENT
Usually none save for personal weapons carried by the crew including rifles, pistols, and hand-dropped bombs.
Usually none save for personal weapons carried by the crew including rifles, pistols, and hand-dropped bombs.
VARIANTS
Series Model Variants
• Rumpler 4C "Taube" - Base Series Designation
Series Model Variants
• Rumpler 4C "Taube" - Base Series Designation
HISTORY
Detailing the development and operational history of the Rumpler Taube (Etrich Taube) Fighter / Light Bomber / Reconnaissance / Trainer Monoplane Aircraft. Entry last updated on 1/7/2018. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
Detailing the development and operational history of the Rumpler Taube (Etrich Taube) Fighter / Light Bomber / Reconnaissance / Trainer Monoplane Aircraft. Entry last updated on 1/7/2018. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
The Austro-Hungarian-originated "Taube" was a single-seat monoplane aircraft whose design was eventually manufactured by a plethora of companies in Europe during the pre-World War 1 period. Design attribution fell to Igo Etrich and it first appeared in 1909 with a first-flight recorded during the following year. As the Etrich patent was allowed to expire, various firms undertook construction of the Taube including Rumpler, Lohner, Aviatik, DFW, Abatros and some of these saw service in World War 1 (1914-1918) as trainers, reconnaissance platforms and - to some extent - fighters / light bombers (though armed only through hand-held / hand-dropped weapons).
The Taube's wings appeared as if modeled after a bird with elegant, curved lines being used but its true form is said to have been taken from the seed of a Javan cucumber. A simple, slab-sided fuselage was used which contained the engine and pilot at the front-most part of the aircraft (a simple two-bladed propeller being utilized). A fixed wheeled undercarriage was used for ground-running. For aerial control, the wings "warped" in flight - a popular quality of early monoplanes. Power was from a Mercedes Typ E4F 4-cylinder water-cooled piston engine developing 86 horsepower. Maximum speed was 62 miles per hour with a range out to 87 miles and a service ceiling of 6,562 feet.
The Taube's wings appeared as if modeled after a bird with elegant, curved lines being used but its true form is said to have been taken from the seed of a Javan cucumber. A simple, slab-sided fuselage was used which contained the engine and pilot at the front-most part of the aircraft (a simple two-bladed propeller being utilized). A fixed wheeled undercarriage was used for ground-running. For aerial control, the wings "warped" in flight - a popular quality of early monoplanes. Power was from a Mercedes Typ E4F 4-cylinder water-cooled piston engine developing 86 horsepower. Maximum speed was 62 miles per hour with a range out to 87 miles and a service ceiling of 6,562 feet.
Despite its seemingly fragile appearance, Taube aircraft designs were used in a variety of civilian- and military-roles. Its first combat sortie took place over Libya when an Italian Taube dropped grenades upon an enemy position during 1911. In 1912 there followed combat exposure over the Balkans and, from then on, the series was used as observation and spotter platforms during World War 1 - though soon outclassed by more advanced aerial machines.
Global operators ranged from Argentina and Bulgaria to the Ottoman Empire and Switzerland.
Global operators ranged from Argentina and Bulgaria to the Ottoman Empire and Switzerland.
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Our Data Modules allow for quick visual reference when comparing a single entry against contemporary designs. Areas covered include general ratings, speed assessments, and relative ranges based on distances between major cities.
Relative Maximum Speed Rating
Hi: 100mph
Lo: 50mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (62mph).
Graph average of 75 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
LDN
LDN
PAR
PAR
BER
BER
MSK
MSK
TKY
TKY
SYD
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LAX
LAX
NYC
Graph showcases the Rumpler 4C Taube 's operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.
Aviation Era
Useful in showcasing the era cross-over of particular aircraft/aerospace designs.
Unit Production Comparison
Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units
Military Market HI**: 36,183 units
120
120
Altitude Visualization
