O.Thetford, P.Gray German Aircraft of the First World War (Putnam)

L.V.G. B I, II and III

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   As late as 1917 it was still thought worthwhile to revise the basic design for continued use as a trainer type. This variant was the B III, and practically all that was done was to revise the tail surfaces to more modern and efficient lines and to strengthen the rear fuselage by covering it with ply sheet better to withstand the rough treatment from inexperienced students, this final type was built by both the Schutte-Lanz and Euler firms.


L.V.G. B III (Schul)
   Developed in 1917, the L.V.G. B III was used specifically for training. The tail surfaces had been modernised in comparison with the earlier B types, and the fuselage was ply-covered as far aft as the cockpit, as were the rear section and vertical fin for additional strength. Also licence-built by the Schutte-Lanz company, one of whose machines is illustrated. Engine, 120 h.p. Mercedes D II. Span, 12.51 m. (42 ft. 0 1/4 in.). Length, 7.89 m. (25 ft. 10 7/8 in.). Height, 2.89 m. (9 ft. 5 3/4 in.). Area, 32.15 sq.m. (357 sq.ft.). Weights: Empty, 738 kg. (1,785 lb.). Loaded, 1,042 kg. (2,292 lb.). Speed, 120 km.hr. (75 m.p.h.). Climb, 3,000 m. (9,840 ft.) in 28 min. Duration, 2.5 hr.

J.Herris LVG Aircraft of WWI. Vol.1: B-Types & C.I (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 34)

LVG B-Types

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  By the time the LVG B.III was developed in 1917 the aircraft at the front needed to be armed to survive. Consequently, the B.III was developed and used as a trainer. Only six B.III were ever listed at the front and these were in December 1915. This is clearly an error as the B.III was not built until 1917. Production of the LVG B.III and various late LVG C-types developed from the B.III as trainers continued until the Armistice.
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  At this point the history of LVG C-types becomes obscure. The next documented LVG C-type is the C.VIII, a handsome biplane with car-type radiator in the nose that was intended to replace the C.VI in production. As far as is known, only a single C.VIII prototype was completed before the Armistice.
  But what about the missing LVG C.VII? One source describes the LVG C.VII as an improved LVG B.III powered by a 160 hp Mercedes D.III engine built in 1918 and intended for use as a trainer. This may be true, but there is no confirmation and no photos of the type that have been identified. If this is true, then the logical hole between the C.VI and C.VIII is neatly filled.
  But it gets worse, as a photo exists of the LVG C.XI(Schul)! This aircraft matches the description given of the LVG C.VII; a modified B.III intended for training and built by Schutte-Lanz as indicated by the "Schul" suffix. The existence of the C.XI(Schul) then raises the question of what are the LVG C.IX and C.X, now the missing numbers in the series? These aircraft may well have been variations of the C.XI(Schul), perhaps with different engines or equipment, or perhaps designations assigned to versions of the C.XI(Schul) built by different manufacturers. Unfortunately for those who like tidy solutions for historical questions, currently no documentation of these 'missing' types in the LVG C-type numbering sequence has been found. Neither have photos of these missing types been identified.
  

LVG B-Type Specifications
LVG B.l LVG B.II LVG B.III
Engine 100 hp Mercedes D.I 120 hp Mercedes D.II 120 hp Mercedes D.II
120 hp Mercedes D.II 110 hp Benz Bz.II
120 hp Argus As.II
110 hp Benz Bz.II
Span, Upper 14.5 m 12.12 m 12.51 m
Span, Lower 12.5 m - -
Gap 1.95 m - -
Wing Area 42.5 m2 - -
Length 9.00 m 8.3 m 7.89 m
Empty Weight 765 kg 726 kg 710 kg
Loaded Weight 1,132 kg 1,074 kg 1,042 kg
Maximum Speed 90-100 km/h 105 km/h 120 km/h
Climb to 800 m 14 minutes - -
Climb to 2,000 m 24.5 minutes - -
Climb to 3,000 m - - 28 minutes
Note: The B.I wings had 2° dihedral and 40 cm sweepback.


LVG C-Type Specifications
LVG C.V LVG C.VI LVG C.VIII LVG C.XI(Schul)
Engine 200 hp Benz Bz.IV 220 hp Benz Bz.IVa 240 hp Benz Bz.IVu 160 hp Mercedes D.III
Span, Upper 13.60 m 13.0 m 13.0 m -
Span, Lower 12.83 m - - -
Chord, Upper 1.75 m - - -
Chord, Lower 1.60 m - - -
Gap 1.73 m - - -
Wing Area 40.5 m2 34.6 m2 35.7 m2 -
Length 8.07 m 7.45 m 7.0 m -
Height 3.36 m 2.8 m 2.8 m -
Empty Weight 1,009 kg 930 kg 975 kg -
Loaded Weight 1,505 kg 1,309 kg 1,380 kg -
Maximum Speed 170 km/h 170 km/h 165 km/h -
Climb to 1,000 m 3 minutes 4 minutes - -
Climb to 2,000 m 7 minutes 8 minutes - -
Climb to 3,000 m 12.5 minutes 15 minutes - -
Climb to 4,000 m 23.5 minutes 25.0 minutes - -
Climb to 6,000 m - 40.0 minutes - -


Known LVG B-Type Production - 1916 & 1917
Type Qty Serials Notes
B.I 20 620/16-639/16 LVG B.I(Ot) built by Otto in Munich as trainers
B.IIa 200 1350/17-1549/17 LVG B.IIa(Schul); Schutte-Lanz built as trainers
B.III 100 2300/17-2399/17 LVG B.III(SSW); SSW-built as trainers
B.III 100 2800/17-2899/17 LVG B.III(Eu); Euler-built as trainers
B.III 100 3200/17-3299/17 LVG B.III; LVG-built as trainers
B.III 300 3300/17-3599/17 LVG B.III(Schul); Schutte-Lanz-built as trainers
There seems to be additional orders for 200 B.III from LVG and 100 B.III from Hansa.


LVG B.III

  Designed in 1917, after Franz Schneider had left LVG, the LVG B.III was intended and used solely as a trainer. Although the Frontbestand table shows six LVG B.III aircraft at the front in December 1915, this is surely an error as the B.III was not built until 1917 and all were used as trainers.
  Likely designed by Diplom-Ingenieur Wilhelm Sabersky-Mussigbrodt, who designed the LVG C.V and C.VI, the B.III bore a close family resemblance to those aircraft. As such, there was no 'kink' in the ailerons characteristic of the earlier LVG types designed by Schneider,- instead, the ailerons had the pronounced washout present in so many other types, including the LVG C.V and C.VI.
  Typically powered by the 120 hp Mercedes D.II, the LVG B.III appears to have been the basis for later LVG C-types intended for training, including the LVG C.XI(Schul), which see.

J.Herris LVG Aircraft of WWI. Vol.3: Types C.VI-C.XI & Fighters (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 36)

LVG C.XI(Schul)

  The LVG C.XI(Schul) was an improved, more powerful development of the LVG B.III designed for training use. It was built by Schutte-Lanz as indicated by the suffix "Schul" after the designation. As shown in the post-war photo, the aircraft featured an enlarged rudder similar to late-production LVG B.III aircraft.
  Little is known of the type except it was powered by a 160 hp Mercedes D.III engine and built in significant numbers as shown in the photo. It was built for training use, likely advanced training as the 'C' designation indicates it was armed, which was not necessary for a primary trainer.
  The missing numbers in the LVG C-type sequence, C.VII, C.IX, and C.X, may have been assigned to the same or very similar designs produced by different manufacturers under license. For example, the Gotha GL.IX(LVG) was the same aircraft as the Gotha GL.VIII, just re-designated when built under license by LVG. Given the engine production situation in Germany, it would also not be surprising if engines by different manufactures but similar power were used in these obscure trainer aircraft.
  Alternatively, the missing numbers in the LVG C-type sequence may have been uncompleted or cancelled projects; documentation of prototypes that were not completed is mostly missing, especially if the companies disappeared, which LVG did.
  Lufriko, the German counterpart to the Inter-Allied Control Commission, gives 365 LVG B.III(Schul) in storage in January 1920, including aircraft from all manufacturers. Lufriko also gives 75 LVG C.XI in storage in January 1920.