Lohner C.I Reconnaissance Biplane Fighter

The Lohner was produced in two major versions - an armed and unarmed reconnaissance platforms.

Detailing the development and operational history of the Lohner C.I Reconnaissance Biplane Fighter. Entry last updated on 4/11/2016. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com

The Lohner C.I was nothing more than the armed version of the two-seat Lohner B.VII reconnaissance aircraft fielded by the Austro-Hungarian Empire in World War 1. The B.VII itself was a derivative (and improved form) of the pre-war B.I biplane series that spawned the B.II, B.III, B.IV, B.V and B.VI types. The B.VII became the definitive form of the two-seat platform and accepted into military service by August of 1915.

While some B.VII models were armed with machine guns once in the field, the C.I became a dedicated armed variant from the start and underwent production of some forty examples at Lohner and Ufag plants. The C.I was also given an engine cowling as opposed to the open-engine look of the preceding B.VII production models. Power was supplied from a single Austro-Daimler inline liquid-cooled engine of 160 horsepower. Armament was a single 8mm machine gun on a flexible mounting in the rear cockpit (seating was for two in tandem in an open-air cockpit).

Externally, the C.I sported biplane wing assemblies with sweep-back, double-bays and parallel struts with applicable cabling. The wings were staggered with the lower assembly positioned some distance aft of the upper. The forward fuselage was dominated by the large powerplant and cooling system to which the former powered a two-blade wooden propeller. The cockpit was situated ahead of amidships while the fuselage tapered sharply into a conventional empennage. The empennage sported a single vertical tail fin and swept-back horizontal planes. The undercarriage was a traditional affiar featuring two large main wheels and a tail skid.

Production of the C.I, like the B.VII, concluded in 1917 - surpassed by mounts of greater performance and firepower.

Any available statistics for the Lohner C.I Reconnaissance Biplane Fighter 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: 100mph

Lo: 50mph

This entry's maximum listed speed (85mph).

Graph average of 75 miles-per-hour.

Relative Operational Ranges

NYC

LON

PAR

BER

MOS

TOK

SYD

LAX

NYC

Graph showcases the Lohner C.I'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

40

* Commercial Market High belongs to Cessna 172.

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

Altitude Visualization

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Supported Mission Types:

Anti-Ship

Airborne Early Warning

VIP Travel

National Origin: Austria-Hungary

Service Year: 1916

Classification Type: Reconnaissance Biplane Fighter

Manufacturer(s): Lohner - Vienna

Production Units: 40

Global Operators:
Austria-Hungary

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

Operational
CREW

Personnel
2

Dimension
LENGTH

Feet
30.25 ft

Meters
9.22 m

Dimension
WIDTH

Feet
44.16 ft

Meters
13.46 m

Dimension
HEIGHT

Feet
10.66 ft

Meters
3.25 m

Weight
EMPTY

Pounds
2,013 lb

Kilograms
913 kg

Weight
LOADED

Pounds
2,998 lb

Kilograms
1,360 kg

Installed Power - Standard Day Performance:
1 x Austro-Daimler 6-cylinder liquid-cooled inline engine developing 160 horsepower.

Performance
SPEED

Miles-per-Hour
85 mph

Kilometers-per-Hour
137 kph

Knots
74 kts

Performance
RANGE

Miles
112 mi

Kilometers
180 km

Nautical Miles
97 nm

Performance
CEILING

Feet
11,483 ft

Meters
3,500 m

Miles
2.17 mi

Performance
CLIMB RATE

Feet-per-Minute
350 ft/min

Meters-per-Minute
107 m/min

Armament - Hardpoints (0):

STANDARD:
1 x machine gun in rear cockpit.

OPTIONAL:
Up to 180lbs of internally-held ordnance.

Supported Weapon Systems:

Graphical image of an aircraft medium machine gun

Variants: Series Model Variants
• B.I - Early War Model; unarmed
• B.VII - Unarmed Model; fitted with Austro-Daimler engine of 150 or 160 horsepower; 73 examples produced; appearing August 1915.
• C.I - Fitted with Austro-Daimler engine of 160 horsepowwer; armed with 1 x machine gun in rear cockpit (trainable mounting); engine cowling; 40 examples produced.