L.F.G. Roland C.II

From Wings of Linen
L.F.G. Roland C.II
Role Reconnaissance
Manufacturer L.F.G. Roland
Designer Tantzen [1][2][note 1]
First flight Oct 1915 [3][2]
Introduction March-Apr 1916[4]
Primary user Germany
Number built perhaps 200-275[note 2]
Wingspan 10.3 m (33 ft 8 in) [6][7][8][note 3]
Engine 160hp Mercedes D.III inline
Armament flexible rear Parabellum
(later) fixed, sync. LMG08/15[note 4]
Crew 2
Max Speed 165 km/h (103 mph)[10][6][8] to
170 km/h (106 mph)[11]
Climb 1,000 m (3,280 ft) in 6:00[11][6][7]-7:00[8]
2,000 m (6,560 ft) in 12:00[11][6][7]-14:00[8]
3,000 m (9,840 ft) in 25:00[7]-26:00[8][note 5]
Ceiling 4,000 m (13,100 ft)[10][6][7]
Range 165 km (100 mi) [8]
Endurance 4:00[citation needed]-5:00 [11][10][6][7]

The L.F.G. Roland C.II gave the pilot a superb field of view by moving the to wing to the level of the top of the fuselage, while wing stagger and root cut-outs improved the restricted downward vision. In place of traditional struts and bracing cables, single I-beam interplane struts were used. Tail surfaces were adjusted to compensate for the deep fuselage. In service the major deficiency was that the thin wings would distort, to the detriment of climbing capability. The C.II was nicknamed the Walfisch (Whale).[1] Attention to streamlining and the reduction of drag was paramount in the designers' minds, and when introduced the C.II was a fast as contemporary fighters. In fact, it was difficult to remain in formation with its rival two-seaters from Rumpler, Albatros, and LVG.[4] Landing the C.II was difficult though, due to the pilot's limited downward vision, made worse by the ear radiators.[12]

A C.IIa version was built, but the data is frequently mixed with the original version and the absolute differences between the two are lost to history.

While its service life was substantial, there were never more than sixty-four at the front at any time, as measured by Frontbestand, so it could never be considered a plane that was "common".[13]

For more information, see Wikipedia:LFG Roland C.II.

Timeline [note 6]

Game Data

Wings of Glory

Official Stats
Version Availability Maneuver Damage Dmg Points Max Alt. Climb Points
rear Parabellum Feb/Mar16-Jul17 K -/B 15 9 6 64
LMG08/15+Parabellum K B/B 15 9 6 92

Blue Max/Canvas Eagles

Aircraft Chart

Miniatures and Models

1:144 Scale

1:285/6mm/1:288 Scale

1:300 Scale

1:600 Scale

Resources

Orthographic Drawings

  • early model

    early model

  • late model (C.IIa)

    late model (C.IIa)

References

Notes
  1. ↑ With the assistance of Ober-Ing. Cämmerer and Ing. Richter.[2]
  2. ↑ Perhaps 200 by the parent company and 50-75 by Linke-Hofmann.[5]
  3. ↑ The C.IIa had a 10.23 m (33.6 ft) wing.[8]
  4. ↑ The version with the front-firing gun may have been designated the "C.IIa", but the evidence is not definitive.[9]
  5. ↑ C.IIa: 1,000 m (3,280 ft) in 6:00, 2,000 m (6,560 ft) in 14:30, 3,000 m (9,840 ft) in 29:30.[8]
  6. ↑ German numbers are from bi-monthly Frontbestand records (Effective Frontline Strength).[13]
Citations
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Gray, p.158.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Gross'67, p.3.
  3. ↑ Lamberton'62, p.159.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Gross'67, p.5.
  5. ↑ Gross'67, p.10.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Lamberton'62, pp.222-223.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Lamberton'60, pp.218-219.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 Gross'67, p.12.
  9. ↑ Gross'67, p.6.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Munson, p.43.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Gray, p.161.
  12. ↑ Gross'67, p.8.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Grosz'85, p.60 and Grosz'86, p.66.
Bibliography
  • Peter Gray and Owen Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. Great Britain, Putnam, 1962, 1987. ISBN 0-85177-809-7.
  • Peter M. Grosz, "Archiv -- Frontbestand". WW1 Aero, № 107, Dec 1985 and № 108, Feb 1986. Poughkeepsie, NY: World War I Aeroplanes, Inc.
  • Peter M. Grosz, Profile Publications 163: The Roland C.II. England, George Faulkner & Sons, Ltd, Profile Publications, 1967.
  • W.M. Lamberton and E.F. Cheesman, Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Great Britain: Harleyford Publications Limited, 1960.
  • W.M. Lamberton and E.F. Cheesman, Reconnaissance & Bomber Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Great Britain: Harleyford Publications Ltd., 1962. ISBN 9780900435027
  • Kenneth Munson, Bombers: Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft, 1914-1919. New York: The MacMillan Company, 1968, Blandford Press Ltd. ISBN 978-0753721711
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