DFW C.V

Source: # 12 - Abandoned by retreating German forces
              # 22 - acquired from Germans through the March 1920 pact
              # 3 - built from spare parts and remains of other planes in 1921.

Acquired: 1919

Type: two-seater reconaissance

Engine: 200-hp Benz BZ D-IV

Dimensions

Length: 7.85 m

Wing Span: 13.27 m

Height: 3.25 m

Range: 500 km

Maximum Ceiling: 6400 m

Known Serial Numbers: 3, 5, 12, 22

Notes

• #3
  • Assembled by mechanics of the Aviation division from spare parts and remains of other aircraft. Completed in early 1921.
  • Sept. 21, 1921 - crashes heavily, requiring extensive rebuild.
  • Feb 28, 1923 - Assigned to the 3rd Squadron.
  • January 22, 1926 - flown by Nikolajs Bulmanis
  • Oct 21, 1932 - Transferred to the Artillery Spotting unit.
  • August 3, 1925 - crash landing at Daugavpils
  • September 10, 1928 - this aircraft crashes at Spilve and is not repaired. Aircrew (Bulmanis & Graveris) are injured, but recover.

    Date	Personnel	Duration	Notes
    February 20, 1924	p - Gulbis	65 min	training flight over aerodrome
    February 24, 1924	p - Gulbis	65 min	training flight over aerodrome
    February 27, 1924	p - Gulbis	45 min	training flight over aerodrome
    February 29, 1924	p - Gulbis	30 min	training flight over aerodrome
    March 6, 1924	p - Gulbis	30 min	training flight over aerodrome
    March 7, 1924	p - Gulbis	30 min	training flight over aerodrome
    March 12, 1924	p - Gulbis	20 min	training flight over aerodrome
    March 15, 1924	p - Gulbis	120 min	training flight over aerodrome
    March 18, 1924	p - Gulbis	90 min	training flight over aerodrome
    March 19, 1924	p - Gulbis	90 min	training flight over aerodrome
    March 20, 1924	p - Gulbis	30 min	training flight over aerodrome
    May 3, 1924	p - Gulbis	60 min	training flight over aerodrome
    May 6, 1924	p - Gulbis	30 min	training flight over aerodrome
    May 7, 1924	p - Gulbis	120 min	training flight over aerodrome
    May 11, 1924	p - Gulbis	100 min	training flight over aerodrome
    May 12, 1924	p - Gulbis	115 min	training flight over aerodrome
    May 12, 1924	p - Gulbis	155 min	training flight over aerodrome
    May 13, 1924	p - Gulbis	120 min	training flight over aerodrome
    May 14, 1924	p - Gulbis o - artillery officer	120 min	artillery spotting training
    May 14, 1924	p - Gulbis o - artillery officer	30 min	artillery spotting training
    May 14, 1924	p - Gulbis o - artillery officer	60 min	artillery spotting training
    May 27, 1924	p - Gulbis o - artillery officer	110 min	artillery spotting training
    June 12, 1924	p - Gulbis o - Lisenterbergs	15 min	engine test
    June 12, 1924	p - Gulbis o - Bobovskis	120 min	Riga - Cesis - Riga
    June 13, 1924	p - Gulbis	15 min	formation flight over aerodrome
    June 13, 1924	p - Gulbis	30 min	formation flight over aerodrome
    June 15, 1924	p - Gulbis o - Blaus	35 min	Participates in the Riga/Spilve Aviation Festival
    June 15, 1924	p - Gulbis o - Blaus	40 min	Participates in the Riga/Spilve Aviation Festival
    June 17, 1924	p - Gulbis + passenger	45 min	VIP flight
    June 21, 1924	p - Gulbis o - Dekeris	165 min	Transfer flight to Daugavpils training camp
    July 17, 1924	p - Gulbis o - Linins	35 min	bombing practice
    July 17, 1924	p - Gulbis o - Linins	100 min	bombing practice

• #12 (8205/18)
  • Sometimes described as "Aviatik C.V #8205". Believed to be DFW C.V (Aviatik) 8205/18.
  • abandoned by the Germans at Spilve in 1919.
  • fuselage, wings, control surfaces were fine, the engine lacked a magneto and the undercarriage wheels had no tyres. Deemed to be repairable.
  • April 11, 1920 - the aircraft was used to fly british Colonel Alexander from Spilve to Jelgava to Auce and, finally, to Liepaja.
  • May 19, 1920 - Flown from Spilve to Rezekne (3 hours) to take part in the battles vs the bolsheviks in Latgale. (Blaubergs/Ziverts)
  • May 26, 1920 - Three-hour recon flight along Sebeza, Drisa and Opocka (Blaubergs/Ziverts)
  • May 31, 1920 - 20 minute test flight (Blaubergs/Ziverts)
  • June 14, 1920 - 20 minute test flight (Blaubergs/Ziverts)
  • July 5, 1920 - 20 minute test flight (Blaubergs/Ziverts)
  • July 17, 1920 - 30 minute test flight (Blaubergs/Ziverts)
  • July, 1920 - transfer flight from Rezekne to Spilve (presumably for repair)
  • July 28, 1920 - transfer flight from Spilve to Rezekne resulting in a fatal crash (Blaubergs/Ziverts/Rulle). Aircraft burned and totally destroyed.
• #22 (C.7022/17)
  • Acquired from the Germans as part of the March, 1920 pact.
  • Engine was a Benz 228 hp, serial number 22771.
  • June 29, 1920 - The aircraft is destroyed in a fatal crash, claiming the life of pilot Sparins and his mechanic, Sabulis.

Sources:
- Bruvelis, Edvins Latvijas Aviacijas Vesture
- Gray & Thetford German Aircraft of the First World War
- Humberstone, Richard Latvian Air Force 1918-1940
- Jane, Fred T. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1919
- latvians.lv virtual museum web site (now withdrawn)
- Windsock Datafile #53 (DFW C.V)
- Additional information (dates of flights) taken from R.Gulbis' log book

Profile courtesy of Arvo Vercamer


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