The CL.IV was a further development of the CL.II design, both aircraft a product of Halberstadt Flugzeugwerke of Germany. The CL.II was found to be a perfect platform when used in the close-support role and, as such, the CL.IV was designed as its replacement with that specific role in mind. Fielded in 1918, the type served in the final major campaigns of the First World War, taking on sorties that ran the gamut of light bombing, ground strafing, nightbombing and interception while still being capable of dogfighting.
The CL.IV was of an orthodox design with a crew of two. The pilot occupied the forward cockpit area just behind the trailing edge of the upper wing. Visibility was somewhat obscured due to the wing placement but views above, left and right were generally good. The pilot had access to a synchronized 7.92mm Spandau LMG 08/15 machine gun. The engine was mounted to the extreme forward of the fuselage just in front of the pilot and was of a 160 horsepower Mercedes D.III 6-cylinder, in-line, water-cooled engine type operating a two-blade propeller. The observer/gunner sat to the pilot's rear (directly behind actually, separated only by a wood panel) and operated a ring-mounted 7.92mm Parabellum LMG 14 machine gun. Externally, the CL.IV was designed to carry up to five 10 kilogram bombs. Wings were of equal span with single bays supported by parallel struts. The undercarriage was traditional, with two main wheels and a tail skid.
The new design proved a great deal better than her forerunner. The CL.IV was a stronger aircraft with good maneuverability. Though an exceptional aircraft when taking on ground targets, protection afforded to the crew was less than stellar, forcing the pilot to utilize the maneuverability of the CL.IV to avoid ground fire. With this in mind, the CL.IV was fielded in handfuls for collectively devastating attacks on ground forces through use of machine guns or bombs. Despite their effectiveness in this role, victory was falling ever farther from Germany's reach until the country officially capitulated.
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(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Air-to-Air Combat, Fighter
General ability to actively engage other aircraft of similar form and function, typically through guns, missiles, and/or aerial rockets.
✓Close-Air Support (CAS)
Developed to operate in close proximity to active ground elements by way of a broad array of air-to-ground ordnance and munitions options.
Length
21.5 ft (6.54 m)
Width/Span
35.2 ft (10.74 m)
Height
8.8 ft (2.67 m)
Empty Wgt
1,605 lb (728 kg)
MTOW
2,348 lb (1,065 kg)
Wgt Diff
+743 lb (+337 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the base Halberstadt CL.IV production variant)
Installed:
1 x Mercedes D.III 6-cylinder in-line water-cooled engine developing 160 horsepower driving a two-bladed propeller at the nose.
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base Halberstadt CL.IV production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
STANDARD:
1 x 7.92mm Spandau LMG 08/15 synchronized machine gun
1 x 7.92mm Parabellum LMG 14 in rear seat cockpit
OPTIONAL:
4 OR 5 x 10kg bombs carried.
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 5
CL.IV - Base Production Model Designation
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
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Estonia; German Empire; Poland; Russian Empire
