Please identify this German 2-seater

[Romani]

I saw a replica of this in a movie, but I can't identify this, looks similar to a Halberstadt CV but the rudder, nose and stagger of the struts are slightly different. Perhaps a CVIII? Or I am wrong and it's a Rumpler?

[Gregvan]

Hi Romani.

It's an LVG C.V, one of the more common and numerous German two-seaters of late 1917-1918. Note the "C.V 3348/17" on the rudder. If I'm not mistaken, this aircraft came from Fl. Abt. 19.

I'd be interested to hear about what movie you saw a replica of this in! As far as I know, there are no replicas nor any extant original examples of the LVG C.V. Of course, there is the LVG C.VI, which did not have a spinner on the propeller; the Shuttleworth collection has a very well known example. There is another C.VI in Brussels, and, I think, the remains of one or two more in France or elsewhere?

Greg

[Hans]

Just for the records: The aircraft collection at Hannover-Laatzen holds a stabilizer plus some struts of LVG C.VI Werksnummer 4418.

Not much, but it is the only opportunity for the public in Germany to watch original 5-col-lozenge-material.

Hans

[Romani]

Originally Posted by Gregvan

Hi Romani.

It's an LVG C.V, one of the more common and numerous German two-seaters of late 1917-1918.

Hello Mister Wyngarden, such an honour!

Of course, I know about the LVG but I always have a hard time remembering that name, I always think about "C type 2-seater" , Rumpler, Hannover, Halberstadt.. are easier to remember! when I went through my usual reference book, I skipped it, I was looking at late war airplanes and I missed the reference because it was under the LVG CII of 1915. Thanks for enlightening me!

I'd be interested to hear about what movie you saw a replica of this in!
Greg

Well, the movie is "Biggles, adventures in time" , 1986. Incidentally the movie was to blame for starting my interest in WWI aviation

The scene is 14 min into the movie, when the villain, the German ace, arrives in the aerodrome , in the background a LVG CV , with natural plywood fuselage can be seen as the German ace walks to his fighter. I apologize, I should have said "mock up" or "reproduction" as "replica" is assumed to be a flying one.

I was shocked and confused at my inability to identify it, so I rushed to the board to post it. I find it odd such attention to detail for a mere mockup, after all, they are using a Tiger Moth and some radial engined biplane for the aerial scenes, so I wonder if it was some privately built reproduction hired for the movie, or if one of the filmmakers was a WWI aviation nut

[Gregvan]

Hi Romani.

Hey, the honor is mine! The aircraft you saw in that awful movie "Biggles" is, in fact, the Shuttleworth's LVG C.VI. From certain angles it looks very much like the C.V. As I said, the major easily-visible difference is that the C.V has a spinnered propeller and the C.VI does not.

Shuttleworth's LVG C.VI used to be flown regularly, but they didn't fly it for the Biggles movie. Pity they didn't - it might have made it more worth watching! It's my understanding that the C.VI has been retired from active flying - it is an original, not a reproduction, so they felt it too valuable to risk in the air anymore. Probably a good thing.

However, if the Biggles movie aroused your interest in WWI aviation, then I guess it wasn't all bad!

Cheers,

Greg

[MikeW]

Just to add on what Greg has said, the LVG CVI was not owned by Shuttleworth but on long term loan by the RAF Museum - The loan has now been "called in". If it had belonged to Shuttleworth I believe it would still be flying!


Mike