development and service history

The Halberstadt CV was a development of the CIV being designed by Karl Theis as a short range photographic reconnaissance machine and artillery spotter. Initially designed to carry a 250mm camera, it could also carry 50kgs of bombs.

The Halberstadt CV was powered by the proven Benz IV engine which was further modified for high altitude flying by raising the compression in the cylinders with the designation Benz IVu, where the "u" stood for uberkomprimiert (high compression). The prototype made its maiden flight in March 1918 and its superiority over other types in its class was immediately noted. It had a good rate of climb (5000 metres in 24 minutes)and proved very manoeuverable in flight.

Take off and especially landing proved problematic however, due in part to the very short fuselage length (designed to reduce weight) and a lack of strength in the undercarriage legs. Because of the short fuselage, the aircraft had a tendency to "bounce" when landing and this put an undue strain on the undercarriage legs which would often collapse and in some cases flip the aircraft over.
Landing the CV clearly called for a special technique on the pilots part. It is interesting to note that of the few existing photographs of the period, many show a Halberstadt CV having come to grief on landing. Nevertheless the pilots who flew the aircraft liked it very much, not just for its flight characteristics but also because of the protection afforded by the deep fuselage sides and the good field of fire for the observer mounted parabellum machine gun.