09/30/2014. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "The Albatros C.III succeeded the Albatros C.I and C.Ia as an operational two-seat general-purpose aircraft, and it eventually became the most prolific of all Albatros two-seaters. The prototype was powered with the eminently reliable Benz Bz III motor of 150 hp, but when series production commenced the majority of C.IIIs had the 160 hp Mercedes D.III installation, although some were still fitted with the Benz. Basically this aeroplane was very similar to its C.I forebear, but in a more refined and compact form. It preserved the same formula of plywood-covered, slab-sided fuselage, with slightly rounded top decking; two-spar wooden wings with fabric covering and steel tube framed control surfaces.

The C.III was instantly distinguishable from the C.Ia by virtue of its completely revised tail surfaces. These dispensed with the earlier aircraft's angularity and adopted the beginning of the rounded tail plane profile that was to be a hallmark of practically all subsequent Albatros C-types. The triangular vertical fin was retained, but a rounded rudder was now fitted. The pattern for these tail surfaces had already been used by Albatros on their B.III two-seater, which had been used originally for reconnaissance work. The use of the near-identical empennage on the C.III was successful, bestowing more sensitive longitudinal control than on the docile C.I. This facilitated more immediate response in the evasive combat maneuvers which were becoming so necessary with the increase of aerial activity on both sides.

The aircraft was produced by no less than seven companies (with in brackets their official Army abbreviation):

Albatros Werke G.m.b.H., (Alb.), Berlin-Johannisthal
Ostdeutsche Albatros Werke G.m.b.H., (Oaw.), Schneidemühl (Province of Posen)
Deutsche Flugzeug-Werke G.m.b.H., (Dfw.), Leipzig-Lindenthal
Hanseatische Flugzeug-Werke (Karl Casper A.G.), (Hansa), Hamburg-Fuhlsbüttel
Linke-Hofmann-Werke A.G., (Li.), Hundsfeld-Breslau
Luft-Verkehrs Gesellschaft m.b.H., (Lvg.), Berlin-Johannisthal
Siemens-Schuckert Werke G.m.b.H., (Ssw.), Berlin

The pictured aircraft was license-built by the DFW and had a modified fin and rudder).

It was during the winter of 1916 that the C.III came to the Fl.Abt. (Feldfliegerabteilung, Field Flying Section) on the Western Front, and began to command no little respect from Allied pilots who met it in combat. It was not an easy machine to shoot down, partly due to the ability of its wooden-shelled fuselage to absorb considerable punishment before any real structural weakness occurred. After some months service it was found that performance did not suffer unduly if a synchronized forward-firing machine gun was fitted for use by the pilot, in addition to the observer's Parabellum gun. As such, it was probably the first "two-gun" operational C-type and was quite a formidable opponent except when, due to the vicissitudes of its rudimentary interrupter gear, it managed to shoot off its own propeller. However, this was a difficulty with which all pilots of tractor aircraft, regardless of nationality, had to contend.

Although mostly used for reconnaissance patrols, the C.III sometimes carried a small bomb load (a 198 lb, 90 kg stowage drum was provided inside fuselage on the center of gravity, between the cockpits), sufficient to constitute a certain nuisance value – lack of an accurate sighting device precluded it becoming more than that. It was also used for co-operation with artillery batteries when the necessary radio equipment was installed."

Span: 38 ft 4.25 in (11.69 m)
Length: 26 ft 3 in (8.00 m)
Height, D.III engine: 10 ft 2 in (3.10 m)
Height, Bz III engine: 10 ft 0.75 in (3.07 m)
Wing area: 399 sq.ft (36.91 sq.m) Empty weight: 1,872 lb (851 kg)
Loaded weight: 2,977 lb (1,353 kg)
Max speed: 88 mph (140 kmh)
Climb: to 3,280 ft (1,000 m) 10 min
Service ceiling: 10,991 ft (3,350 m)
Endurance: 4 hr