Ago C.I

The twin-boom Ago C.I and Ago C.II pushers were instantly recognizable, just as their spiritual brethren the P-38 Lightning would be in the next world war. Small numbers of them were used for reconnaissance in 1915-1916, tailing off after summer.

The Ago was one of the very few single-engine pushers used by the Germans, and it holds the distinction of being the first German plane armed with the Parabellum LMG14 machine gun, where the prototype was used in combat evaluation in April 1915. Around sixty-four of them were built in several small batches between February and October 1915. The maximum at the front was a little under two dozen in Spring to mid-summer 1916 (with an unexplained dip in numbers in April). Air crews found it easy to fly and robust, and its lifetime was extended even though it was never seen in large numbers. Once pilots grew accustomed to its characteristics, the forward nose-over wheels were frequently removed. While the forward field-of-fire was excellent, the lack of rear protection eventually turned into a major limitation.

Despite their good qualities, the Ago pushers were swimming uphill against strategic thought in German air and naval command, who strongly preferred tractor biplanes to pushers. The Bavarian air service was more open to pushers, and the navy bought some, including one floatplane version, the Ago C.Iw.

Card Links

 * B.F.A. 9
 * B.F.A. 9
 * B.F.A. 9 - Chorbacher/Schmidt
 * B.F.A. 9 - Chorbacher/Schmidt

1:144 Scale

 * Shapeways:
 * Benz engine, four-wheel undercarriage: Columbia Aerodrome; CA, with bomb; Reduced Aircraft Factory
 * Mercedes engine, two-wheel undercarriage: Reduced Aircraft Factory

1:285/6mm/1:288 Scale

 * Shapeways: Reduced Aircraft Factory