Halberstadt CL.II

Imperial Germany (1917)

Nearly 1,000 of the Hablerstadt biplane aircraft were produced during World War 1 - serving as escort fighters and ground attack platforms.

Detailing the development and operational history of the Halberstadt CL.II Escort Biplane Fighter / Ground Attack Aircraft. Entry last updated on 12/9/2016. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com

It was the Halberstadt D.IV fighter that served as the basis for the CL.II escort fighter / ground attacker. The original D.IV was rejected by the German Air Service due to pilot vision out-of-the-cockpit and only saw three aircraft produced but it was this very design that influenced the upcoming CL.II, developed to a two-seat, defensive-minded patrol and pursuit requirement for the Germans of World War 1 (1914-1918). The CL.II fulfilled this role quite well and was produced to the tune of 900 examples.

The CL.II originally emerged under the designation of "C.II" during 1916 but this was reworked to become the "CL.II" in the summer of 1917. Like other aircraft in the Halberstadt stable, the CL.II carried a single 7.92mm LMG 08/15 synchronized machine gun in a fixed, forward-firing mounting for the pilot. Armament was augmented by the rear crewman being given management of a single 7.92mm LMG 14 series machine gun atop a flexible mounting. To fulfill the ground attack aspect of the requirement, the aircraft could be laden with up to five 22lb "Wurfgranaten 15" series trench mortar fragmentation bombs and ten stick grenades. Power was from a Mercedes D.III 6-cylinder inline engine of 160 horsepower driving a two-bladed propeller at the nose. A biplane wing arrangement (staggered) was used with parallel strutworks as was a fixed undercarriage (wheeled at the main legs) and open-air cockpits for the two crewmembers.

First-flight was had during early 1917 which led to a first-order placed in May. In August of that year, the aircraft was readied for battle and began arriving in useful numbers. Once in action, the series was well-regarded for its handling and power as well as good vision out-of-the-cockpit. In a matter of weeks, it proved itself one of the more valuable aircraft in service to the Germans as the type could engage air and ground targets with equal lethality - as well as defend itself when necessary. It also served as an escort to larger, slower and more vulnerable warplanes when needed, such was its over-battlefield flexibility.

To make up the 900-strong total, Halberstadt received no fewer than five total production batch orders and this accounted for at least 700 aircraft with manufacture ranging into the middle part of 1918. Bayerische FlugzeugWerke (BFW) supplied the other 200 aircraft in the total.

The CL.IIa was the sole variant of the CL.II line, this model carrying a BMW IIIa series engine and trialed for a time in frontline actions. It did not see quantitative production figures.

Both Lithuania and Poland became post-war operators of the CL.II.

As finalized, the CL.II could manage a maximum speed of 103 miles per hour with a service ceiling of 16,600 feet. Endurance was three hours and climb to 16,400 feet took forty minutes. Empty weight was 1,700lb against a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 2,500lb.

Any available statistics for the Halberstadt CL.II Escort Biplane Fighter / Ground Attack Aircraft are showcased in the areas immediately below. Categories include basic specifications covering country-of-origin, operational status, manufacture(s) and total quantitative production. Other qualities showcased are related to structural values (namely dimensions), installed power and standard day performance figures, installed or proposed armament and mission equipment (if any), global users (from A-to-Z) and series model variants (if any).

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.

Image of collection of graph types

Relative Maximum Speed Rating

Hi: 120mph

Lo: 60mph

This entry's maximum listed speed (103mph).

Graph average of 90 miles-per-hour.

Relative Operational Ranges

NYC

LON

PAR

BER

MOS

TOK

SYD

LAX

NYC

Graph showcases the Halberstadt CL.II's operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.

Aviation Era Impact

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

900

* Commercial Market High belongs to Cessna 172.

** Military Market High belongs to Ilyushin Il-2.

Altitude Visualization

Compare this entry against other aircraft using our Comparison Tool

Supported Mission Types:

Air-to-Air

Interception

Unmanned

Ground Attack

Close-Air Support

Training

Anti-Submarine

Anti-Ship

Airborne Early Warning

MEDEVAC

Electronic Warfare

Maritime/Navy

Aerial Tanker

Utility/Transport

Passenger Industry

VIP Travel

Business Travel

Search/Rescue

Recon/Scouting

Special Forces

X-Plane/Development

National Origin: Imperial Germany

Service Year: 1917

Classification Type: Escort Biplane Fighter / Ground Attack Aircraft

Manufacturer(s): Halberst�dter Flugzeugwerke (Halberstadt) / Bayerische FlugzeugWerke (BFW) - German Empire

Production Units: 900

Global Operators:
Imperial Germany; Lithuania (post-war); Poland (post-war)

Structural - Crew, Dimensions, and Weights:
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Halberstadt CL.II model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.

Operational
CREW

Personnel
2

Dimension
LENGTH

Feet
23.95 ft

Meters
7.3 m

Dimension
WIDTH

Feet
35.27 ft

Meters
10.75 m

Dimension
HEIGHT

Feet
9.02 ft

Meters
2.75 m

Weight
EMPTY

Pounds
1,709 lb

Kilograms
775 kg

Weight
LOADED

Pounds
2,502 lb

Kilograms
1,135 kg

Installed Power - Standard Day Performance:
1 x Mercedes D.III 6-cylinder water-cooled inline piston engine developing 160 horsepower and driving a two-bladed propeller unit at the nose.

Performance
SPEED

Miles-per-Hour
103 mph

Kilometers-per-Hour
165 kph

Knots
89 kts

Performance
RANGE

Miles
311 mi

Kilometers
500 km

Nautical Miles
270 nm

Performance
CEILING

Feet
16,732 ft

Meters
5,100 m

Miles
3.17 mi

Performance
CLIMB RATE

Feet-per-Minute
550 ft/min

Meters-per-Minute
168 m/min

Armament - Hardpoints (5):

STANDARD:
1 x 7.92mm Spandau LMG 08/15 machine gun in fixed, forward-firing mounting synchronized to fire through the spinning propeller blades.
1 x 7.92mm Parabellum MG14 machine gun on flexible mounting in rear cockpit.

OPTIONAL:
5 x 22lb Wurfgranaten 15 series trench mortar fragmentation drop bombs.

Visual Armory:

Graphical image of an aircraft medium machine gun

Graphical image of an aircraft conventional drop bomb munition

Variants: Series Model Variants
• CL.II - Base Series Designation
• CL.IIa - Limited test form fitted with BMW IIIa series engines.
• C.II - Original designation of 1916