LLOYD C.V SERIE 82 - 1917

Description

Category C aircraft, i.e. two-seater, armed, reconnaissance aircraft were frequently used by both the German and the Austro-Hungarian air forces. The Lloyd C.V. recce aircraft were used by the Austria-Hungaria also for gunfire control. The design of the new Lloyd was remarkable; especially the wings, which were covered with a 1.2 mm thick veneer and had excellent aerodynamic characteristics. The first Lloyd C.V. series 46 aircraft started to serve with operational squadrons on the Eastern front in Galicia in September 1917. The type´s initial deployment was not trouble free and the pilots would complain mainly about the non-standard controls, these being replaced by standard ones (steering-wheel control, etc.) by November 1917. Subsequently, Lloyds proved to be sturdily designed planes with good manoeuvrability. As the production was not able to meet the demand and the Daimler power units were also in short supply, it was decided to commence a licence production of Benz engine-equipped Lloyd C.V series 82 in WKF company. At the height of their operational use as many as 12 units (Flik) of the Austro-Hungarian Air Force were equipped with Lloyds. Some planes had a small coffin-shaped box encompassing the machine gun on their upper wing while others only had a cylindrical tank there. Eventually, when the planes were found unsuitable for the front line because of their insufficient power they continued to be used in pilot training. (Scale : 1/72e)