History

This aircraft succeeded the Hannover CL.II and was a two seat multifunctional aircraft. Noteworthy was the double tail. Several improvements compared with the CL.II were added, such as revised ailerons and aerodynamic refinements. It was expected that aircraft would better perform at lower heights.

Initially the CL.III would be equipped with the Mercedes D.III engine, but this was mainly built for fighter aircraft, so most Hannover CL.IIIS were equipped with the 180 hp Argus As. III.

Versions.

  • Hannover CL.III: the original version with a 160 hp Mercedes D.III engine.
  • Hannover Cl.IIIa: with an 180 hp Argus As.III engine.
  • Hannover Cl.IIIb: an experimental version.

 

Technical information
Dimensions:
Length: 7,58 m Wingspan: 11,7 m
Height: 2,8 m Wing area: 32,7 m2
Weights:
Empty weight: 717 kg Max. start weight: 1081 kg
Performances:
Max. speed: 165 km/hr Climbing speed: 5,3 min to 7500 m
Cruising speed: - km/hr    
Range: 2,7 hours Service ceiling: 7500 m
Miscellaneous:
Engine type: One Opel-Argus AS III rated 180 hp
Crew: Two men: one aviator plus one observer/air gunner
Armament: One fixed forward firing 7,9 mm Spandau LMG 08/15 plus one movable 7,9 mm Parabellum MG 14 machine gun.

 


A Hannover Cl.III, serial 13180/17  "7" from Feld Flieger Abteilung 258 (FFA 258) with crew: lt. F.A. Olbrich and sgt. M.K. Albusberger. made an emergency landing op April 15, 1917 near Axel and was interned with serial HAN416.

Hannover CL.II HAN416 ex-13180/17. Links achter met oranje bol.
Hannover CL.II HAN416 ex-13180/17 with orange markings.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Hannover CL.II HAN416 ex-13180/17. Bovenaanzicht waarnemerscockpit met mitrailleur.
Hannover CL.II HAN416 ex-13180/17: the observers cockpit with machine-gun.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Hannover CL.II HAN416 ex-13180/17. Rechts voor. Met oranje bol.
Hannover CL.II HAN416 ex-13180/17. [at Beeldbank NIMH
Hannover CL.II 13180/17 van Feld Flieger Abteilung 258 (FFA 258). Geland te Axel op 15 april 1918. Op transport. Bemanning: lt. F.A. Olbrich, sgt. M.K. Albusberger. Ned. reg. HAN416.
Hannover CL.II 13180/17on transport to Soesterberg
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

 


Serial Werknr. Bestellnr. Date in service Date out of service Notes
HAN416   13180/17 13-08-1917 1920  

 


1/72nd Scale

Kits

  • Airfix
    • Kit 130: A model of a Hannover Cl.IIIa

Modelling add-on

  • --
    • Kit --: --.

Decals

  • --
    • Kit --: ---.

1/48th Scale

Kits

  • Koster Aero Enterpr.
    • Kit 17: A vacu formed kit of a Hannover CLII/IIIa.

Modelling add-on

  • --
    • Kit --: --.

Decals

  • --
    • Kit --: ---.

 


Scheme Colour name Humbrol XtraColor Vallejo Model Color Vallejo Model Air
Standard #1 Upper surfaces Lozenge scheme        
Other parts Dark green 30   70.895 71.096

Check www.paint4models.com for an extensive conversion table with lots of colour and paint systems.

 


Literature.

Nederlandse Militaire Luchtvaart in Beeld. deel 1. Hugo Hooftman Pag. 42 1977 Uitgever: Europese Bibliotheek, Zaltbommel
KLu Vliegtuigen: De vliegtuigen van de Koninklijke Luchtmacht vanaf 1913 Wim Schoenmaker & Thijs Postma Pag. 16 1987 Uitgeverij De Alk, Alkmaar
Aircraft Archive Aircraft of World War One; Volume 1.   Pag. 80 - 81 1989 Uitgever: Argus Books, Hempsted
Camouflage en Kentekens J. Greuter e.a.   1997 Uitgeverij Bonneville, Bergen (NH)
Air Enthusiast no.80 The Historical Aviation Journal: Unexpected Windfalls Bart van der Klaauw Pag. 54 - 59 1999 Uitgever: Key Publishing, Stamford

 

Websites.

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