DAR 2

Albatros C.III
Role	General purpose
Manufacturer	Albatros Flugzeugwerke DAR
Introduction	1915
Primary users	Luftstreitkräfte Polish Air Force Finnish Air Force Bulgarian Air Force Lithuanian Air Force

The Albatros C.III was a German two-seat general-purpose biplane of World War I, built by Albatros Flugzeugwerke. The C.III was a refined version of the successful Albatros C.I and was eventually produced in greater numbers than any other C-type Albatros.

The C.III was used in a wide variety of roles including observation, photo-reconnaissance, light bombing and bomber escort. First twelve aircraft went to the front in December 1915. The biggest number was available on the front in August 1916 – 354. They were mostly withdrawn from frontline service by mid-1917, although the production continued for training. Orders for 2271 aircraft in total are known.

Eighteen C.IIIs were delivered in August 1916 to Bulgaria. They were destroyed in 1920 in accordance with the Treaty of Neuilly-sur-Seine. According to other sources, 26 Albatros C.III were delivered to Bulgaria, including eight trainers.

Polish Air Force operated 15 Albatros C.III in 1918-1920 during Polish-Soviet War.

Like the Albatros C.I, the C.III was a popular aircraft with rugged construction and viceless handling. The most prominent difference between the two was the revised vertical stabilizer. The C.III had a lower, rounded tail compared to the large, triangular tail of the C.I, which, combined with smaller weight, gave the C.III greater agility. The power plant was either a 110 kW (150 hp) Benz Bz. III or a 120 kW (160 hp) Mercedes D.III inline engine and, like numerous other two-seaters used during the war (such as the British Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8) the cylinder head and exhaust manifold protruded above the front fuselage, limiting the pilot's forward visibility.

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