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HW100 - 45000
UAW55 - 105000
RRW100 - 175000
PKRR - 7500
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AEG
(Allgemeine Elektrizitäts Gesellschaft)
AEG AG
Type - Aktiengesellschaft
Industry - Electrical industry
Predecessor - Gesellschaft für elektrische Unternehmungen
Founded - 1883 in Berlin as Deutsche Edison-Gesellschaft für angewandte
Elektricität
Founder - Emil Rathenau
Defunct - 2 October 1996, brand rights acquired by Electrolux
Headquarters - Berlin, later Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany
Area served - Worldwide
Key people - Ernst Stöckl (1996)
Products - Electrical power generation and transmission /
Telecommunication (Phones and Mobile Phones) / Automation /
Transportation and Automotive / Home appliances / Personal Care /
Machine Tools / Projectors / Printing equipment and Supplies
Revenue - Decrease DM 20.5 billion (1995)
Number of employees - 11,000 (1995)
Parent - Electrolux
Website - aeg.com
Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft AG (AEG; German for 'General
electricity company JSC') was a German producer of electrical equipment
founded in Berlin as the Deutsche Edison-Gesellschaft für angewandte
Elektricität in 1883 by Emil Rathenau. During the Second World War, AEG
worked with the Nazi Party and benefited from forced labour from
concentration camps. After World War II, its headquarters moved to
Frankfurt am Main.
In 1967, AEG joined with its subsidiary Telefunken AG, creating
Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft AEG-Telefunken. In 1985,
Daimler-Benz purchased the AEG-Telefunken Aktiengesellschaft (which was
renamed to AEG Aktiengesellschaft) and wholly integrated the company in
1996 into Daimler-Benz AG (1998: DaimlerChrysler). The remains of AEG
became part of Adtranz (later Bombardier Transportation) and Deutsche
Aerospace (1998: DASA, today part of Airbus SE).
After acquiring the AEG household subsidiary AEG Hausgeräte GmbH in
1994, Electrolux obtained the rights to the AEG brand name in 2005,
which it now uses on some of its products. The AEG name is also licensed
to various brand partners under the Electrolux Global Brand Licensing
program.
History
Summary
In 1883, Emil Rathenau founded Deutsche Edison-Gesellschaft für
angewandte Elektricität in Berlin. In 1888 it was renamed Allgemeine
Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft. Initially producing electrical equipment
(such as light bulbs, motors and generators), the company soon became
involved in AC electric transmission systems. In 1907, Peter Behrens was
appointed as artistic consultant to AEG. This led to the creation of the
company's initial corporate identity, with products and advertising
sharing common design features.
The company expanded in the first half of the 20th century, and it is
credited with a number of firsts and inventions in electrical
engineering. During the same period, it entered the automobile and
airplane markets. Electrical equipment for railways was produced during
this time, beginning a long history of supplying the German railways
with electrical equipment. According to the 1930 Encyclopedia
Britannica: "Prior to 1923 it was the largest electrical manufacturing
concern in Germany and one of the most important industrial undertakings
in the world."
During the Second World War, AEG joined with other large companies such
as IG Farben, Thyssen and Krupp in their support of the Nazis. The
company benefited from the use of large numbers of forced labourers as
well as concentration camp prisoners, under inhuman conditions of work.
After WWII, the company lost its businesses in the eastern part of
Germany. After a merger in 1967, the company was renamed Allgemeine
Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft AEG-Telefunken (from 1979 on only
AEG-Telefunken). The company experienced financial difficulties during
the 1970s, resulting in the sale of some assets. In 1983, the consumer
electronics division Telefunken Fernseh und Rundfunk GmbH was sold. In
1985, the company re-took the name AEG and the remainder of the company
was acquired by Daimler-Benz; the parts that remained were primarily
related to electric power distribution and electric motor technology.
Under Daimler-Benz ownership, the former AEG companies eventually became
part of the newly named Adtranz in 1995, and the AEG name was no longer
used. Electrolux, which had already acquired the household subsidiary
AEG Hausgeräte GmbH in 1994, now own the rights to use and license the
AEG brand.
Foundation to 1940
The company originated in 1882, when Emil Rathenau acquired licences to
use some of Thomas Edison's lamp patents in Germany. The Deutsche Edison
Gesellschaft ("German Edison Company") was founded in 1883 with the
financial backing of banks and private individuals, with Emil Rathenau
as company director.
In 1884, Munich-born engineer Oskar von Miller (who later founded
Deutsches Museum) joined the executive board. The same year, the company
entered negotiations with the Berlin Magistrat (the municipal body) to
supply a large area from a central supply, which resulted in the
formation of the Städtischen Elektrizitätswerke (A.G.StEW) ("City
electricity works company (Berlin)") on 8 May 1884.
The original factory was located near Stettiner Bahnhof. In 1887 the
company acquired land in the Berlin-Gesundbrunnen area on which the
Weddingsche Maschinenfabrik (founded by Wilhelm Wedding) was previously
located.[citation needed] In the same year, in addition to a
restructuring and expansion of the production range, the AEG name was
adopted.
In 1887 Mikhail Dolivo-Dobrowolsky joined the company as chief engineer,
later becoming vice-director. His work on polyphase electric power led
him to become the world's leading engineer in three-phase electric power
systems at the end of the 1880s.
In 1891 Miller and Dobrovolski demonstrated the transmission of
electrical power over a distance of 175 km (109 mi) from a hydro
electric power plant in Lauffen am Neckar to Frankfurt, where it lit
1000 light bulbs and drove an artificial waterfall at the International
Electrotechnical Exhibition in Frankfurt am Main. This success marked
one of beginnings of the general use of alternating current for
electrification in Germany, and showed that distance transmission of
electric power could be economically useful. In the same year the
Stadtbahn Halle/Saale (City railway Halle-Saale) opened, the first
electric tram system (of notable size) in Germany.
Tropp Paul began his work for the AEG 1889/90 until 1893, and Franz
Schwechten designed the facades of the Acker- und Hussitenstraße in
1894-95.
In 1894 the site of the former Berlin Viehmarktgasse (cattle market
alley) was purchased. This had a railroad siding connecting to the
Berlin rail network, but there was no rail connection between the two
plants. In 1895 an underground railway link between the two plots was
built in a tunnel 270 meters long. The tunnel was built by Siemens &
Halske (S & H) (later to become Siemens) under the direction of C.
Schwebel and Wilhelm Lauter who were also connected in the building of
what is now the Spree tunnel Stralau used by the U-Bahn.
By 1889 AEG were known as specialists in the construction of industrial
portable drilling machines, some of these were driven by flexible shafts
from electric motors. AEG also developed a toothed belt drive to reduce
motor speed down to that required by machine tools.
In 1903 the competing radio companies AEG and Siemens & Halske merged,
forming a joint subsidiary named Telefunken.
In 1907 architect Peter Behrens became an artistic adviser. Responsible
for the design of all products, advertising and architecture, he has
since become considered as the world's first corporate designer.
Behren's philosophy was to create a building which is solid, strong and
simple in its structure. It is perfect for doing its job of producing
large, heavy machinery. The dimensions of the building were chosen to
allow turbines to be transported above other machinery.
In the 1920s AEG became a global supplier of electrical know-how and
equipment. In 1923, for example, it provided most of the essential
materials and a team of engineers to oversee the electrification of
British-ruled Palestine. British firms, at the time, could not compete
with the prices of AEG.
The activity of the company soon extended to all areas of electrical
power engineering, including electric lighting, electric power, electric
railways, electro-chemical plants, as well as the construction of steam
turbines, automobiles, cables and cable materials. In the first decades,
the company had many factories in and around Berlin:
1. Maschinenfabrik Brunnenstrasse (steam turbines, dynamos, electric
motors)
2. Apparatewerk Ackerstrasse (carbon-filament and metal thread light
bulbs, Nernst lamps, switches, fuses, resistors, electrical measuring
equipment, dynamos, electric motors)
3. Kabelwerk Oberspree (KWO, cables, copper and metal works, rubber
fabrication, insulator fabrication)
4. Transformatorenwerk Oberspree (TRO, transformers)
5. Glühlampenfabrik Moabit (1907-1912, carbon-filament and metal thread
light bulbs, Nernst lamps, Vacuum tubes) - later became part of Osram,
from 1939 on Telefunken
6. Turbinenfabrik (1909, steam turbines) - famous as an example of
industrial architecture
7. Apparate-Werke Treptow (AT - 1926, arc lamps, switches, fuses,
controls, starters, electrical measuring equipment)
A number of other notable events involving AEG occurred in this period:
1900: Invention of the hairdryer.
1901: The Neue Automobil Gesellschaft ("New Automotive Company") became
part of AEG through the takeover of Allgemeine Automobil-Gesellschaft.
27 October 1903: An AEG-equipped experimental three-phase railcar
achieved a speed of 210.2 km/h (131 mph) on the test track of the
Königlich Preußische Militär-Eisenbahn (Royal Prussian Military Railway)
between Marienfelde and Zossen. This world speed record for rail
vehicles was held until 1931.
1904: Merger of AEG with the Union-Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft (UEG)
(literal: Union-electricity Company).
1910: Factory Hennigsdorf. Entry into the aircraft building market.
1929: AEG produced its first compressor-driven refrigerators and
temperature controlled irons.
1933: AEG joined other large manufacturing companies to support Adolf
Hitler.
1935: Presentation of the world's first tape device Magnetophon K1 based
on work by Eduard Schüller at the Berlin Radio Show.
1941: AEG bought Siemens & Halske shares in Telefunken and the company
became a subsidiary.
On 20 June 1915, founder Emil Rathenau died at age 77.
The Nazi era and World War II
AEG donated 60,000 Reichsmarks to the Nazi party after the Secret
Meeting of 20 February 1933 at which the twin goals of complete power
and national rearmament were explained by Hitler. They joined with other
large companies such as IG Farben, Thyssen and Krupp in their support of
the Nazis, especially in promoting re-armament of the Wehrmacht,
Luftwaffe, and Kriegsmarine. During the war itself, they were to use
large numbers of forced labourers as well as concentration camp
prisoners, under inhuman conditions of work.
AEG worked extensively with the Nazi party in Poland. AEG was forced to
relinquish Kabelwerk Krakow, a cable manufacturing plant, to the Nazi
party. Kabelwerk Krakow was located in Krakow-Plaszow and used forced
Jewish labor manufacturing cables from 1942 to 1944. In 1943, AEG began
to relocate goods and evacuate workers. Goods were relocated to various
places, including Berlin and Sudetenland. When installing electric and
lighting systems for the Waffen-SS training grounds in Dębica, AEG used
forced labor from Jews placed in the Pustkow labor camp located in
Southeastern Poland.
During World War II, an AEG factory near Riga used female slave labour.
AEG were also contracted for the production of electrical equipment at
Auschwitz concentration camp.
AEG used slave labour from Camp No. 36 at the new sub-camp of Auschwitz
III and also known as Monowitz, called "Arbeitslager Blechhammer". Most
of them would die in 1945 during the death marches and finally in
Buchenwald.
AEG was a major supplier of grips found on World War II P38 pistols
manufactured by Walther Arms, Mauser, as well as on the early wartime
Spreewerk P38s.
In an effort to express regret for their use of Jewish slave labor in
World War II, AEG joined with Rheinmetall, Siemens, Krupp, and I G
Farben to pay DEM75 million in reparations to the Jewish Claims
Conference.
1945 to 1970
In 1945, after the Second World War, the production in the factories in
the western sectors of Berlin - what today is the building of the
headquarters of DW (TV)Deutsche Welle - and Nuremberg, Stuttgart and
Mulheim an der Ruhr resumed and further new works were erected, among
others an Electric meter plant in Hameln.
The steam and electric locomotive plant in Hennigsdorf (Fabriken
Hennigsdorf) became a Volkseigener Betrieb (VEB) (people owned
enterprise) as the Lokomotivbau Elektrotechnische Werke (LEW) ("electric
locomotive works"). The cable plant (Draht-, Kabel- und Metallwerk
Oberspree) and apparatus factory (Apparatefabrik Treptow) and other
facilities also lay in East Germany and became Sowjetische
Aktiengesellschaft (SAG) (Soviet joint stock companies). Over 90% of
assets in Berlin lay in the Russian occupied zone and were lost.
The headquarters for the non-expropriated parts of the company was moved
first to Hamburg and then finally to Frankfurt am Main, the headquarters
in Berlin having been destroyed.
1948: The AEG factories Kassel (FK) were founded on the site of the
former MWK Motorenbau Werk Kassel at Lilienthalstrasse 150 in
Kassel/Hesse/Germany. The first factory part was the high voltage
switchgear factory (HSF), later the refrigerator factory (KSF), the
ticketprinter factory (FDF), the isolating material factory (IF) as well
as the worldwide accepted high voltage institute (HI)were founded. In
the early sixties more than 5000 people worked for AEG in Kassel. Today,
the site Lilienthalstrasse still produces high voltage switchgear.
1950: The new corporate headquarters is at the Friedensbrücke (Peace
Bridge) in Frankfurt / Main. The number of employees in the Group rose
from 20,900 in September 1948 to 55,400 persons in September 1957. In
the same year the turnover exceeded one billion DM for the first time,
however the high level of investment in the rebuilding of the company
(1948 to 1956 over 500 million DM) placed a considerable strain on the
balance sheet.
1958: The slogan "Aus Erfahrung Gut" (benefit from experience) is
introduced to explain the company name and acronym, leading to
unflattering parodies such as "Auspacken, Einschalten, Geht nicht"
(unpack, switch on, does not work) or "Alles Ein Gammel" (everything is
'gammy').
1962: The Group has 127,000 employees and generates annual sales of 3.1
billion DM. In Springe a new factory is opened in February 1962 a new
factory for the production of fluid control units with 200 employees.
1962: Walter Bruch at Telefunken in Hannover develops PAL color
television.
1966: The largest industrial space in Europe is created (175 m long, 45
m wide and 26 m high) for the construction using cranes of engines and
generators with weights up to 400 tonnes. Robert F. Kennedy attends the
opening.
1 January 1967: Merger with Telefunken creates AEG-Telefunken,
headquartered in Frankfurt am Main.
1970s onwards
In 1970, AEG-Telefunken had 178,000 employees worldwide, and was the
12th largest electrical company in the world. The company was burdened
by, among other things, unsuccessful projects such as an automated
baggage conveyor system at Frankfurt Airport and nuclear powerplant
construction. In particular, the nuclear power plant at Würgassen, the
commissioning of which was delayed by several years due to technical
problems cost AEG hundreds of millions of DM. As a result, the company
paid its last dividend in 1972.
The entertainment arm (Telefunken Fernseh und Rundfunk GmbH)
headquartered in Hanover was sold. This was followed by the computer
mainframe business (TR 4, TR 10, TR 440) (a partnership under the name
Telefunken Computer GmbH with the company Nixdorf) was sold to Siemens.
The process computer (TR 84, TR 86, AEG 60-10, AEG 80-20, AEG 80-60)
continued as Geschäftsbereich Automatisierungstechnik (after 1980 as ATM
Computer GmbH).
In 1975 the former Telefunken Headquarter at Berlin-Charlottenburg,
Ernst-Reuter-Platz 7 was sold. The building had been previously rented
to the Technical University of Berlin.
In 1976, to circumvent the requirement of equal participation of
employees in the supervisory board, Dr. Walter Cipa (Dipl.-Geol.) (AEG
boss from 1976 to 1980) created four further companies as wholly owned
joint stock companies in addition to the two household appliance
companies. (The numbers in parentheses refer to percentage of turnover
in 1980.)
AEG-Telefunken Anlagentechnik AG (37%)
AEG-Telefunken Serienprodukte AG (16%)
AEG-Telefunken Kommunikationstechnik AG (6%)
Olympia Werke AG (business office technology (7%)
AEG-Hausgeräte GmbH (22%)
Telefunken Fernseh und Rundfunk GmbH (12%)
In 1979 Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft AEG-Telefunken was renamed
AEG-Telefunken AG by dropping the supplement "Allgemeine
Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft", used since 1887. For reasons of European
Union, the corporate form AG (Aktiengesellschaft) had to be added. In
February 1980, Heinz Dürr became board Chairman (until 1990).
In August 1982 a restructuring plan, backed with federal guarantees of
600 million DM and new bank loans of 275 million DM, fell apart at the
first disagreement between the banks. A banking consortium provided an
administrative loan of DM 1.1 billion to the AEG Group until June 1983;
400 million of which only to be available on a guarantee by the federal
government. Not only was AEG-Telefunken AG affected, but also its
subsidiaries Küppersbusch AG in Gelsenkirchen, Hermann Zanker
Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG in Tübingen and Carl Neff GmbH in Bretten.
The Alno-Möbelwerke GmbH & Co. KG in Pfullendorf was taken over by the
minority shareholders, and separated from the group.
The suppliers to AEG were affected and some filed for bankruptcy -
including Becher & Co. Möbelfabriken KG in Bühlertann - with lack of
continuity of company policy a factor. The site at Brunnenstraße in the
former Berlin district of Wedding was also sold, as were the firms
AEG-Fabrik Essen and Bauknecht.
1983/84: the consumer electronics division (Telefunken television and
broadcasting GmbH) was sold to the French group Thomson-Brandt.
1985: AEG was taken over by Daimler-Benz AG. Daimler-Benz executive
Edzard Reuter (from 1987 Daimler CEO), decides two companies should form
an "integrated technology group" with beneficial synergy.
1988: On its 60th anniversary the AEG-Forschungsinstituts (AEG Research
Institute) creates the Carl-Ramsauer Prize for scientific/technical
dissertations.
1990: AEG Westinghouse Transportation Systems GmbH is formed in
association with Westinghouse Transportation Systems Inc.
1992: Merger (or re-uniting) of the railway business with the
Lokomotivbau Elektrotechnische Werke (LEW) in Hennigsdorf, resulting in
the formation of AEG Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH (AEG locomotives).
1992: The Swedish company Atlas Copco acquires AEG Power Tools Ltd;
divested in 2004 to Techtronic Industries.
1994: sale of the Automation division to Schneider Electric and of AEG
Hausgeräte AG to Electrolux.
1995: AEG Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH becomes part of ABB Daimler-Benz
Transportation (Adtranz) (subsequently becoming part of Bombardier
Transportation in 2001).
1996: The Annual General Meeting of Daimler-Benz AG chaired by Juergen
Schrempp decides upon the dissolution of the lossmaking group.
1996: GEC ALSTHOM acquires AEG Power T&D business.
September 1996: The company is deleted from the commercial register.
Products
Locomotives and railway technology
AEG played an important role in the history of the German railways; the
company was involved on the development and manufacture of the
electrical parts of almost all German electric locomotive series and
contributed to the introduction of electrical power in German railways.
Additionally many steam locomotives were made in AEG factories. In 1931
the company acquired Borsig and transferred the locomotive production to
the AEG-Borsig works (Borsig Lokomotiv-Werke GmbH) from the Borsig plant
in Tegel. In 1948 the plant became VEB Lokomotivbau Elektrotechnische
Werke. In addition to numerous electric locomotives produced for the DR
steam locomotive production continued until 1954.
When the Federal Republic of Germany began implementing AC propulsion
systems AEG found itself in competition with Brown, Boveri & Cie. The
prototype DB Class E320 was built with Krupp as dual voltage (15 kV and
25 kV AC) test machine, the technology ultimately leading to locomotives
such as DB Class 120 and ICE 1.
Only after German reunification and the adoption of the LEW plant in
Hennigsdorf did AEG's name return to whole locomotive manufacturing, but
only for a short time. "AEG locomotives GmbH " became part of ABB
Daimler-Benz Transportation (later ADtranz) and currently the technology
developed in the past, in part, now enables Bombardier Transportation to
build the very successful TRAXX series of locomotives.
AEG also built the Hellenic Railways TRAINOSE Class 520DMUs between
1989/1990/1991 and 1994/1995/1996.
Aircraft
AEG manufactured a range of aircraft from 1912 to 1918. The first
aircraft in 1912 was of wooden construction and modeled after the
biplane of the Wright brothers. It had a wingspan of 17.5 m (57 ft); was
powered by an eight-cylinder engine producing 75 hp; unloaded weight was
850 kg; and could attain a speed of 65 km/h (40 mph). From 1912, the
construction of airplanes proceeded in mixed wood and steel tube
construction with fabric covering.
One of the planes designed and built was Riesenflugzeug ("giant
aircraft") AEG R.I. This aircraft was powered by four 260 hp (190 kW)
Mercedes D.IVa engines linked to a combination leather cone and dog
clutch. The first flight tests were satisfactory, but on 3 September
1918, the R.I broke up in the air killing its seven crewmen.
The most successful in terms of production figures of all the AEG
aircraft designs was that of the G.IV Grossflugzeuge ("large aircraft")
heavy tactical bomber, of which one still survives of the 320 built, as
the sole surviving World War One German multi-engine bomber.
During the Second World War AEG produced machines for reconnaissance
purposes, including a helicopter platform driven by an AC motor. This
was a tethered craft that could not fly freely; the power supply was
carried by three cables from the ground. The machine reached an altitude
of 300 m.
Cars
AEG bought Kühlstein in 1902, founding the division Neue Automobil
Gesellschaft (New Automobile Company), to make cars. AEG withdrew from
car production in 1908.
Models produced include:
1. AAG (1900 automobile)
1) NAG Typ A
2) NAG Typ B
3) NAG Typ B2
Film projectors
AEG also produced for a long period a series of film projectors:
1. Stillstandsmaschine 1919 Projektor 35 mm
2. Theatermaschine 1920 Projektor 35 mm
3. Triumphator I-III 1924-1935 Projektor 35 mm ACR 0710
4. Successor (Lehrmeister) 1925-1935 Projektor 35 mm
5. Kofferkino 1927 encased Projektor 35 mm
6. Lehrmeister 1929 Projektor 35 mm ACR 0709 (Leitz)
7. Mechau Modell 4 1929 - 1934 Projektor 35 mm
8. Euro K 1938-42 Projektor 35 mm
9. Euro M 1936 Projektor 35 mm
10. Euro G 1938 Projektor 35 mm, Interlock-Version (G-MB)
11. Euro M2 1939-1944 Projektor 35 mm
Leadership
Name - From - To
Emil Rathenau - 1887 - 1915
Felix Deutsch - 1915 - 1928
Hermann Bücher - 1928 - January 1946
Walther Bernhard - January 1946 - May 1947
Friedrich Spennrath - May 1947 - December 1955
Hans Constantin Boden - January 1956 - February 1961
Hugo Bäurle - March 1961 - January 1962
Hans C. Boden - February 1962 - September 1962
Hans Heyne - October 1962 - December 1964
Berthold Gamer - January 1965 - December 1965
Hans Bühler - January 1966 - June 1970
Hans Groebe - June 1970 - July 1976
Walter Cipa - July 1976 - January 1980
Heinz Dürr - February 1980 - December 1990
Ernst Stöckl - January 1991 - September 1996
The AEG brand today
As a result of the breakup and dissolution of the original company,
Electrolux acquired the brand rights in 2005 and the name is also
licensed to various companies: Currently the brand is being actively
promoted by Electrolux; it includes many of the same products that it
formerly manufactured, such as power solutions energy devices,
telecommunication devices (phones and mobile phones), automation, car
accessories, home appliances, power tools, projectors, printing
equipment and supplies, water treatment devices, and personal care
devices under the AEG brand.
1) AEG Hausgeräte - became part of Electrolux, produces white goods such
as washing machines, dishwashers, ovens, fridges etc.
2) ITM Technology AG produces consumer electronics and telecommunication
(mobile phone, home phone etc.) equipment under the AEG name.
3) Binatone manufactures mobile accessories, mobile phones, landline
phones and two way radios under the AEG brand.
4) AEG Elektrowerkzeuge (AEG Power Tools), licensed to Techtronic
Industries (TTI) since 2009, produces hand power tools.
5) AEG Haustechnik (licensed to Stiebel Eltron) produces home heating
and climate control (humidifiers, airconditioners) products.
6) AEG Industrial engineering produces electrical power equipment,
including generators up to 55MW, control gear and switchgear, electrical
motors, transformers etc. as well as high power inverters and DC
supplies for industrial use.
7) AEG SVS Schweiss-Technik: manufacturer resistance welding machines
and equipment.
8) AEG Gesellschaft fur moderne Informationssysteme mbH (AEG-MIS):
Develops custom LCDs for information systems.
9) AEG ID: produces RFID tags and readers.
10) AEG Power Solutions (formerly Saft Power systems or AEG Power Supply
Systems): produces uninterruptable/backup/stable power supply systems
for electric supply sensitive equipment (e.g. computers).
11) AEG Professional Printing Equipment and Supplies: Produces wide
format printers, inks, and media products for printing, as well as
photoconductor drums and toners for printing applications (e.g. laser
printer/photocopier).
12) AViTEQ Vibrationstechnik GmbH.
13) Lloyd Dynamowerke GmbH & Co KG.
14) Lafert Group.AEG B.I
B.I
Role - Reconnaissance aircraft
Manufacturer - AEG
First flight - 1914
Introduction - 1914
The AEG B.I was a German two-seat biplane unarmed reconnaissance
aircraft produced in very small numbers in 1914. It formed the basis for
the more successful B- and C-type aircraft from AEG.
Operators
1. German Empire
- Luftstreitkräfte
Specifications (AEG B.I)
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 10.5 m (34 ft 5 in)
Wingspan: 14.5 m (47 ft 7 in)
Wing area: 44 m2 (470 sq ft)
Empty weight: 650 kg (1,433 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 1,040 kg (2,293 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.I 6-cyl. water-cooled in-line piston engine,
74.5 kW (99.9 hp)
Performance
Maximum speed: 100 km/h (62 mph, 54 kn)
Service ceiling: 2,500 m (8,200 ft)
Wing loading: 24 kg/m2 (4.9 lb/sq ft)
AEG B.II
B.II
Role - Reconnaissance aircraft
Manufacturer - AEG
First flight - 1914
Introduction - 1914
The AEG B.II was a two-seat biplane reconnaissance aircraft produced in
small numbers from 1914. It was a slightly smaller version of the B.I
and proved more successful. They were used in limited numbers throughout
1914 to 1915, but were quickly replaced, as they were often derided for
lack of speed and armament.
Operators
1) German Empire
- Luftstreitkräfte
Specifications (AEG B.II)
Data from The Virtual Aviation Museum
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 10.5 m (34 ft 5 in)
Wingspan: 15.5 m (50 ft 10 in)
Height: 3.15 m (10 ft 4 in)
Wing area: 40.12 m2 (431.8 sq ft)
Empty weight: 723 kg (1,594 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 650 kg (1,433 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.II 6-cyl. water-cooled in-line piston engine,
89.5 kW (120.0 hp)
Performance
Maximum speed: 110 km/h (68 mph, 59 kn)
Cruise speed: 110 km/h (68 mph, 59 kn)
Range: 1,130 km (700 mi, 610 nmi)
Service ceiling: 3,000 m (9,800 ft)
Wing loading: 27 kg/m2 (5.5 lb/sq ft)
AEG B.III
B.III
Role - Reconnaissance aircraft
Manufacturer - AEG
First flight - 1915
Introduction - 1915
The AEG B.III was a German two-seat biplane reconnaissance aircraft
produced in very small numbers from 1915. It was a further refinement of
the B.I and B.II, with a fresh tailplane assembly, but was still only
just adequate in performance and did not attract much interest. The
B.III was put into reconnaissance and training roles in 1915, but was
soon replaced by armed aircraft in the German military.
Specifications (AEG B.III)
Data from The Virtual Aviation Museum
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 7.9 m (25 ft 11 in)
Wingspan: 13.1 m (43 ft 0 in)
Wing area: 41 m2 (440 sq ft)
Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.II 6-cyl. water-cooled in-line piston engine,
88 kW (118 hp)
Performance
Maximum speed: 110 km/h (68 mph, 59 kn)
AEG C.I
AEG C.I
Role - Reconnaissance aircraft
Manufacturer - AEG
Introduction - 1915
Primary user - Imperial German Flying Corps
The AEG C.I was a two-seat biplane reconnaissance aircraft produced in
small numbers from March 1915 by the German company Allgemeine
Elektrizitäts-Gesellschaft (AEG). It was essentially an AEG B.II armed
with a single 7.92 mm (.312 in) Parabellum or Bergmann (rarely) machine
gun mounted at the rear of the cockpit for the observer and a more
powerful engine. The Benz engine increased maximum speed to a more
respectable 130 km/h (81 mph). By October 1915, it had begun to be
replaced by the AEG C.II.
Specifications (AEG C.I)
Data from German Aircraft of the First World War
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Performance
Endurance: 4hr
Time to altitude: 1,000m (3,281ft) in 4.5mins
Armament
Guns: 1 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) Parabellum MG14 or Bergmann MG 15nA with 550
rounds
AEG C.II
AEG C.II
Role - Reconnaissance aircraft
Manufacturer - Allgemeine Elektrizitäts-Gesellschaft
Introduction - 1915
Primary user - Luftstreitkräfte
The AEG C.II was a German two-seat biplane reconnaissance aircraft
produced in small numbers from October 1915. It was a slightly smaller
version of the C.I with better performance, redesigned cockpit for both
pilot and observer/bombardier, new rear mounting for a 7.92 mm (.312 in)
Parabellum MG14 machine gun, and the ability to carry four 10 kg (22 lb)
bombs for light attack duties.
Operators
1) German Empire
- Luftstreitkräfte
Specifications (AEG C.II)
Data from German Aircraft of the First World War
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 7.09 m (23 ft 3 in)
Wingspan: 11.95 m (39 ft 2 in)
Height: 3.17 m (10 ft 5 in)
Empty weight: 680 kg (1,499 lb)
Gross weight: 1,200 kg (2,646 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Benz Bz.III 6-cyl. water-cooled in-line piston engine,
112 kW (150 hp)
Performance
Maximum speed: 138 km/h (86 mph, 75 kn)
Range: 580 km (360 mi, 310 nmi)
Armament
Guns: 1 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) Parabellum MG14 machine gun
Bombs: Up to 40 kg (90 lb) of bombs
AEG C.III
AEG C.III
Role - Reconnaissance
Manufacturer - AEG
Primary user - Luftstreitkräfte
The AEG C.III was a two-seat biplane reconnaissance aircraft, a single
prototype of which was built during World War I. The aircraft featured
an unusual fuselage design that completely filled the gap between the
upper and lower sets of wings, to provide the pilot with improved
vision, and to allow the observer a wider field of fire for his 7.92 mm
(.312 in) machine gun. The pilot sat to the rear of the observer, who
was stationed over the upper wing. This design was not as successful as
had been hoped, and the C.III was never entered into service. Despite
being heavier than the C.II, its maximum speed increased to 158 km/h (98
mph).
Specifications (AEG C.III)
Data from German Aircraft of the First World War
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in)
Wingspan: 12 m (39 ft 4 in)
Wing area: 36 m2 (390 sq ft)
Empty weight: 687 kg (1,515 lb)
Gross weight: 1,237 kg (2,727 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Benz Bz.III 6-cylinder, water-cooled, inline piston
engine, 112 kW (150 hp)
Performance
Maximum speed: 158 km/h (98 mph, 85 kn)
Armament
Guns: 1 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) Parabellum MG14 or Bergmann MG 15nA machine
gun with 550 rounds
Bombs: 4 × 10 kg (20 lb) bombs
AEG C.IV
AEG C.IV
Role - Reconnaissance aircraft
Manufacturer - Allgemeine Elektrizitäts-Gesellschaft
Introduction - 1916
Primary user - Luftstreitkräfte
Number built - 687 (Leon)
The AEG C.IV was a German two-seat biplane reconnaissance aircraft that
entered service in 1916.
Design and development
The C.IV was based on the AEG C.II, but featured a larger wingspan and
an additional forward-firing Spandau-type 7.92 mm (.312 in) machine gun.
In addition to reconnaissance duties, the C.IV was used as a bomber
escort, despite proving itself inadequately powered for the role.
Nevertheless, the C.IV was easily the most successful of AEG's World War
I B- and C-type reconnaissance aircraft, with some 687 being built and
the model remained in service right up to the end of the war.
A variant, the C.IV.N was designed specifically as a prototype night
bomber in 1917, with the Benz Bz.III engine used in other C-types and a
lengthened wingspan. Another variant, the C.IVa, was powered by a 130 kW
(180 hp) Argus As III engine.
C.IV aircraft saw service with the Bulgarian Air Force (1 machine) and
the Turkish Flying Corps (46 machines).
A big number of 91 C.IVs were captured by the Polish in 1919, most in
Poznań during Greater Poland Uprising. Most of them were next assembled
and entered service. It became one of basic aircraft of the Polish Air
Force, used for reconnaissance, bombing and strafing during
Polish-Soviet War in 1919-1920. Most were withdrawn in 1921.
Operators
1) Bulgaria
Bulgarian Air Force
2) German Empire
Luftstreitkrafte
3) Kingdom of Hejaz
Hejaz Air Force - single example, not airworthy
4) Poland
Polish Air Force - up to 91 aircraft, used postwar
5) Turkey
Ottoman Air Force
Specifications (AEG C.IV)
Data from German Aircraft of the First World War
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 7.15 m (23 ft 5 in)
Wingspan: 13.46 m (44 ft 2 in)
Height: 3.35 m (11 ft 0 in)
Wing area: 39 m2 (420 sq ft)
Empty weight: 800 kg (1,764 lb)
Gross weight: 1,120 kg (2,469 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.III 6-cylinder, water-cooled, inline piston
engine, 120 kW (160 hp)
Performance
Maximum speed: 158 km/h (98 mph, 85 kn)
Range: 450 km (280 mi, 240 nmi)
Endurance: 4hr
Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 2.78 m/s (547 ft/min)
Time to altitude: 1,000m in 6min
Armament
Guns: * 1 × forward-firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) LMG 08/15 "Spandau" machine
gun
1 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) Parabellum MG14 machine gun in ring mount for
observer
Bombs: * Bomb load up to 100 kg (220 lb)
AEG C.V
AEG C.V
Role - Reconnaissance
National origin - Germany
Manufacturer - AEG
First flight - February 1916
Number built - 1
Developed from - AEG C.IV
The AEG C.V was a prototype two-seat biplane reconnaissance aircraft of
World War I. Designed to use a more powerful engine than previous AEG
C-class reconnaissance aircraft, results were disappointing enough that
further development was cancelled.
Specifications (AEG C.V)
Data from German Aircraft of the First World War
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 7.6 m (24 ft 11 in)
Wingspan: 13.2 m (43 ft 4 in)
Wing area: 41.5 m2 (447 sq ft)
Empty weight: 900 kg (1,984 lb)
Gross weight: 1,432 kg (3,157 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.IV 8-cyl water-cooled in-line piston engine,
164 kW (220 hp)
Performance
Maximum speed: 165 km/h (103 mph, 89 kn)
Rate of climb: 3.333 m/s (656.1 ft/min)
Time to altitude: 1,000m (3,282ft) in 5min
Armament
Guns: * 1 × forward-firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) LMG 08/15 machine gun
1 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) Parabellum MG14 machine gun in ring mount for
observer
AEG C.VI
C.VI
Role - Reconnaissance aircraft
National origin - German Empire
Manufacturer - AEG
Primary user - Luftstreitkräfte
Developed from - AEG C.IV
The AEG C.VI was a prototype two-seat biplane reconnaissance aircraft of
World War I. It was developed in 1916 from the AEG C.IV, but did not
enter production.
Specifications (AEG C.VI)
Data from
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 7.16 m (23 ft 6 in)
Wingspan: 13.467 m (44 ft 2 in)
Height: 3.35 m (11 ft 0 in)
Wing area: 39 m2 (420 sq ft)
Empty weight: 802 kg (1,768 lb)
Gross weight: 1,120 kg (2,469 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Benz Bz.IV 6-cylinder water-cooled in-line piston
engine, 150 kW (200 hp)
Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller
Performance Armament
Guns: 1 × forward-firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) LMG 08/15 machine gun + 1 ×
7.92 mm (.312 in) Parabellum MG14 machine gun in ring mount for observer
AEG C.VII
C.VII
Role - Reconnaissance aircraft
National origin - German Empire
Manufacturer - Allgemeine Elektrizitäts-Gesellschaft
First flight - December 1916
Number built - 2
The AEG C.VII was a prototype two-seat biplane reconnaissance aircraft
of World War I. It was developed from the C.IV but did not enter
production. The C.VII was tested with two different wing arrangements,
one with slightly tapered single bay wings and another with sharply
swept upper wing.
Specifications (AEG C.VII)
Data from German Aircraft of the First World War
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 6.2 m (20 ft 4 in)
Wingspan: 11.1 m (36 ft 5 in)
Empty weight: 758 kg (1,671 lb)
Gross weight: 1,118 kg (2,465 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.III 6-cyl water-cooled in-line piston engine,
119 kW (160 hp)
Performance
Maximum speed: 165 km/h (103 mph, 89 kn)
Rate of climb: 4.17 m/s (821 ft/min)
Time to altitude: 1,000m (3,282ft) in 4min
Armament
Guns: * 1 × forward-firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) LMG 08/15 machine gun
1 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) Parabellum MG14 machine gun in ring mount for
observer
AEG C.VIII
C.VIII
Role - Reconnaissance aircraft
National origin - German Empire
Manufacturer - AEG
First flight - October 1917
Primary user - Luftstreitkräfte
Number built - 2
Developed from - AEG C.IV
The AEG C.VIII was a prototype two-seat reconnaissance aircraft of World
War I. Two examples were built, based on the successful C.IV design, one
of biplane configuration, the other a triplane (the latter sometimes
referred to as the C.VIII.Dr). Neither version offered enough of an
improvement on the C.IV to make mass production worthwhile.
Variants
C.VIII - Biplane prototype two-seater fighter/reconnaissance aircraft.
C.VIII Dr - Triplane version of C.VIII, no improvement in climb and
speed reduced to 165 km/h (103.12 mph)
Specifications (AEG C.VIII)
Data from German Aircraft of the First World War
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 6.9 m (22 ft 8 in)
Wingspan: 9.5 m (31 ft 2 in)
Empty weight: 800 kg (1,764 lb)
Gross weight: 1,160 kg (2,557 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.III 6-cylinder water-cooled in-line piston
engine, 120 kW (160 hp)
Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller
Performance
Maximum speed: 170 km/h (110 mph, 92 kn)
Rate of climb: 4.386 m/s (863.4 ft/min)
Power/mass: 0.10 kW/kg (0.061 hp/lb)
AEG D.I
AEG D.I
Role - Fighter aircraft
National origin - German Empire
Manufacturer - AEG
First flight - May 1917
Number built - 3
Variants - AEG Dr.I
The AEG D.I was a biplane fighter of World War I. Three prototypes were
ordered, but after the first two were involved in serious crashes, one
of which killed flying ace Walter Höhndorf on September 5, 1917,
development was cancelled. A triplane version was built as the Dr.I. The
second and third prototypes differed little from the first except in
detail.
Variants
A.E.G. D.I
1917 prototype single seat biplane fighter.
A.E.G. Dr.I
1917 prototype single seat triplane fighter.
Aircraft numbers
AEG D.I first prototype - D4400/17
AEG D.I second prototype - D4401/17
AEG D.I third prototype - D5002/17
AEG Dr.I prototype - no. not known
Specifications (AEG D.I)
Data from German Aircraft of the First World War and Wagner/Nowarra,
German Combat Planes pg. 73
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 6.1 m (20 ft 0 in)
Wingspan: 8.5 m (27 ft 11 in)
Height: 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in)
Wing area: 16.14 m2 (173.7 sq ft)
Empty weight: 685 kg (1,510 lb)
Gross weight: 940 kg (2,072 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Daimler D.IIIa 6-cylinder, liquid-cooled, inline piston
engine, 120 kW (160 hp)
Performance
Maximum speed: 205 km/h (127 mph, 111 kn)
Range: 465 km (289 mi, 251 nmi)
Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 6.67 m/s (1,313 ft/min)
Time to altitude: 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in 2.2 minutes
5,000 m (16,000 ft) in 25 minutes
Wing loading: 58 kg/m2 (12 lb/sq ft)
Power/mass: 0.13 kW/kg (0.08 hp/lb)
Armament
Guns: 2x 7.92 mm (0.312 in) LMG 08/15 machine-guns
AEG DJ.I
DJ.I
Role - Armoured ground attack
National origin - Germany
Manufacturer - AEG
First flight - September 1918
The AEG DJ.I was a highly streamlined biplane ground attack aircraft of
late World War I that was undergoing evaluation at the time of the
Armistice.
Design and development
The single seat attack biplane, which began evaluation in September
1918, carried a pair of 7.92 mm (.312 in) "Spandau"-type machine guns
and a light bomb load. The design featured aluminium fuselage coverings,
I-type interplane struts with no flying or landing wires, and protective
armour.
Specifications (AEG DJ.I)
Data from German Aircraft of the First World War
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 6.69 m (21 ft 11 in)
Wingspan: 10 m (32 ft 10 in)
Height: 3 m (9 ft 10 in)
Empty weight: 1,185 kg (2,612 lb)
Gross weight: 1,370 kg (3,020 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Benz Bz.IIIb V-8 water-cooled piston engine, 145 kW (194
hp)
Performance
Maximum speed: 180 km/h (110 mph, 97 kn)
Rate of climb: 4.167 m/s (820.3 ft/min)
Time to altitude: 1,000m (3,281ft) in 4min
Armament
Guns: * 2 × forward-firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) LMG 08/15 Spandau machine
guns
Bombs: Light bomb load
AEG Dr.I
Dr.I
Role - Fighter aircraft
Manufacturer - AEG
Number built - 1
Developed from - AEG D.I
The AEG Dr.I was a triplane fighter of World War I, based on the D.I.
Only a single prototype was built and its poor performance meant that no
production ensued. The Dr.I was a Dreidecker (triplane) variant of the
D.I and had been inspired by a Sopwith Triplane that had been captured
intact. A number of proposals for fighters with comparable
characteristics were put forward, and AEG's contribution to the program
appeared in October 1917. Other than the triple wing it was a D.I, the
aircraft had the same fuselage, engine and twin gun armament of its
earlier brethren.
Specifications (AEG Dr.I)
Data from German Aircraft of the First World War
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 6.1 m (20 ft 0 in)
Wingspan: 9.4 m (30 ft 10 in)
Empty weight: 710 kg (1,565 lb)
Gross weight: 970 kg (2,138 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.IIIa[2] 6-cyl water-cooled in-line piston
engine, 126.8 kW (170.0 hp)
Performance
Maximum speed: 170 km/h (110 mph, 92 kn)
Armament
Guns: * 2 × forward-firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) LMG 08/15 machine guns
AEG G.I
AEG K.I and G.I
Role - Bomber
National origin - Germany
Manufacturer - AEG
First flight - early 1915
Introduction - 1915
Primary user - Luftstreitkräfte
Number built - 1
Developed into - AEG G.II
The AEG G.I (originally designated as the K.I) was a three-seat,
twin-engined German biplane bomber aircraft of World War I. It was
tested and found to be viable for air-fighting in the latter half of
1915 but performed poorly, necessitating the development of the AEG
G.II.
Specifications (AEG G.I)
Data from German Aircraft of the First World War
General characteristics
Crew: 3
Length: 8.65 m (28 ft 5 in)
Wingspan: 16 m (52 ft 6 in)
Height: 3.46 m (11 ft 4 in)
Wing area: 59 m2 (640 sq ft)
Empty weight: 1,160 kg (2,557 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 1,960 kg (4,321 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Mercedes D.I 74.5
Propellers: 2-bladed wooden fixed-pitch pusher propellers
Performance
Maximum speed: 125 km/h (78 mph, 67 kn)
Range: 450 km (280 mi, 240 nmi)
Service ceiling: 2,400 m (7,900 ft)
Armament
Guns: 2 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) machine guns
Bombs: 200 kg (440 lb) of bombs
AEG G.II
AEG G.II
Role - Bomber
National origin - German Empire
Manufacturer - AEG
Introduction - July 1915
Primary user - Luftstreitkräfte
Number built - ca 20
Developed from - AEG G.I
The AEG G.II was a German biplane bomber aircraft of World War I
developed from the AEG G.I, with more powerful engines. The G.II was
typically armed with three 7.92 mm (.312 in) machine guns and 200 kg
(440 lb) of bombs. The bomber suffered stability problems, and many
G.IIs were fitted with additional vertical tail surfaces on each side of
the fin and rudder to improve flight handling characteristics.
This aircraft was the first assignment of Baron Von Richtofen prior to
becoming a pilot.
Specifications (AEG G.II)
Data from German Aircraft of the First World War
General characteristics
Crew: 4
Length: 9.1 m (29 ft 10.26 in)
Wingspan: 16.2 m (53 ft 1.79 in)
Height: 3.49 m (11 ft 5.40 in)
Wing area: 59 m2 (640 sq ft)
Empty weight: 1,450 kg (3,196 lb)
Gross weight: 2,470 kg (5,445 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 2,464 kg (5,434 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Benz Bz.III 6-cyl. water-cooled in-line piston engine,
112 kW (150 hp) each
Performance
Maximum speed: 140 km/h (87 mph, 76 kn)
Range: 700 km (434 mi, 377 nmi)
Service ceiling: 3,000 m (9,842 ft)
Rate of climb: 1.52 m/s (299 ft/min)
Time to altitude: 1,000m (3,281ft) in 11 minutes
Armament
Guns: up to 3 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) machine guns
Bombs: 200 kg (440 lb) of bombs
AEG G.III
G.III
Role - Bomber
National origin - German Empire
Manufacturer - AEG
Introduction - December 1915
Primary user - Luftstreitkräfte
Developed from - AEG G.II
The AEG G.III was a German biplane bomber aircraft of World War I
developed from the G.II. Like its predecessor, it was only built in
small numbers and saw limited operational use, mainly far from the main
fronts of the war.
Operators
1. German Empire
Luftstreitkräfte
Specifications (AEG G.III)
Data from German Aircraft of the First World War
General characteristics
Crew: 3 or 4
Length: 9.2 m (30 ft 2.20 in)
Wingspan: 18.44 m (60 ft 5.98 in)
Height: 3.9 m (12 ft 9.54 in)
Wing area: 67 m2 (720 sq ft)
Empty weight: 1,940 kg (4,276 lb)
Gross weight: 3,015 kg (6,646 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 3,008 kg (6,633 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Mercedes D.IV 8-cylinder water-cooled inline piston
engine, 164 kW (222.98 hp) each
Performance
Maximum speed: 158 km/h (98.18 mph, 85.32 kn)
Range: 700 km (434 mi, 377 nmi)
Service ceiling: 3,500 m (11,482 ft)
Rate of climb: 2.78 m/s (547 ft/min)
Time to altitude: 1,000m (3,281ft) in 6min
Armament
Guns: 2 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) machine guns
Bombs: 300 kg (660 lb) of bombs
AEG G.IV
AEG G.IV
Role - Bomber aircraft
Manufacturer - Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft (A.E.G.)
First flight - 1916
Introduction - 1916
Retired - 1918
Primary user - German Air Force
Number built - 320
Developed from - AEG G.III
The AEG G.IV was a biplane bomber aircraft used in World War I by
Germany. It was developed from the AEG G.III, with refinements to power,
bomb-load and dimensions. Coming into service in late 1916, it featured
a bomb capacity twice as large as that of the AEG G.II, but was still
considered inadequate in terms of offensive capacity and performance.
Further improvements led to the development of the G.V, but the
Armistice came before the replacement could become operational. Serving
late in the war, the AEG G.IV managed to achieve some operational
success in reconnaissance and combat roles.
Design and development
The Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft (A.E.G.) G.IV was derived from
the earlier G.III. Designed as a tactical bomber, the relatively modern
technology included onboard radios and electrically heated suits for the
crew. Unlike the other German twin-engined Großflugzeug-class ("G")
bombers such as the Gotha G.V and the Friedrichshafen G.III, the AEG
featured an all-metal, welded-tube frame, making it a more rugged
aircraft. Well equipped with armament, although the rear gunner's
cockpit was on the top of the fuselage, the position was equipped with a
hinged window in the floor for viewing and fending off pursuing
aircraft.
The AEG G.IV medium bomber was converted into an armored, antitank
gunship, the G.IVk (Kanone) with two 20 mm Becker cannon. It never saw
service.
Operational history
The AEG G.IV bomber entered service with the German Air Force in late
1916. Because of its relatively short range, the G.IV served mainly as a
tactical bomber, operating close to the front lines. The G.IV flew both
day and night operations in France, Romania, Greece and Italy, but, as
the war progressed, the AEG G.IV was restricted increasingly to night
missions. Many night operations were considered nuisance raids with no
specific targets, but with the intention of disrupting enemy activity at
night and perhaps doing some collateral damage.
The AEG G.IV carried a warload of 400 kg (880 lb). While Gotha crews
struggled to keep their heavy aircraft aloft, the AEG was renowned as an
easy aircraft to fly. Some G.IV crews of Kampfgeschwader 4 are known to
have flown up to seven combat missions a night on the Italian front. A
notable mission involved Hauptmann Hermann Köhl attacking the railroad
sheds in Padua, Italy in his G.IV bomber.
Survivor
A single example (number 574/18) is preserved at the Canada Aviation and
Space Museum. This example is significant not only as the only one of
its kind in existence, but as the only preserved German, twin-engined
combat aircraft from World War I. The aircraft was brought to Canada in
1919 as a war trophy. It has been at the museum since 1970.
Variants
AEG G.IV
Tactical bomber.
AEG G.IVg
Fitted with an increased span three-bay wing.
AEG G.IVk
Armoured ground-attack aircraft fitted with two 20 mm Becker cannon, one
in a dorsal mounting and one in a turret under the nose. Five built.
Operators
1. German Empire
Luftstreitkräfte
Specifications (AEG G.IV)
Data from German Aircraft of the First World War
General characteristics
Crew: 3
Length: 9.7 m (31 ft 10 in)
Wingspan: 18.4 m (60 ft 4 in)
Height: 3.9 m (12 ft 10 in)
Wing area: 67 m2 (720 sq ft)
Empty weight: 2,400 kg (5,291 lb)
Gross weight: 3,630 kg (8,003 lb)
Fuel capacity: 560 l (150 US gal; 120 imp gal)
Powerplant: 2 × Mercedes D.IVa 6-cylinder water-cooled inline piston
engine, 194 kW (260 hp) each
Propellers: 2-bladed wooden fixed pitch tractor propellers
Performance
Maximum speed: 165 km/h (103 mph, 89 kn)
Endurance: 4–5 hours in cruise
Service ceiling: 4,500 m (14,800 ft)
Time to altitude: 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in 5 minutes
Wing loading: 54.2 kg/m2 (11.1 lb/sq ft)
Power/mass: 0.0986 kW/kg (0.0601 hp/lb)
Armament
Guns: 2 × 7.92 mm (0.312 in) Parabellum machine guns
Bombs: 400 kg (880 lb) of bombs
AEG G.V
AEG G.V
Role - Bomber
National origin - German Empire
Manufacturer - AEG
Introduction - May 1918
Primary users - Luftstreitkräfte
Deutsche Luftreederei
Swedish Air Force
Produced - 1918
Developed from - AEG G.IV
The AEG G.V was a biplane bomber aircraft of World War I, a further
refinement of the AEG G.IV. The type saw limited production before the
Armistice, and never entered operational service. It featured a 600 kg
(1,320 lb) bombload.
After the war, several were converted into 6-passenger airliners. It was
the only large German World War I aircraft to see commercial duties in
any significant capacity. Initially, passengers sat in an open cockpit,
but a Limousine version was soon developed. AEG attached a cabin fairing
to enclose the passenger area and outfitted the nose with a hinged door
for baggage. Finally, a toilet was provided aft of the passenger cabin.
Operators
1. German Empire
Luftstreitkrafte
2. Sweden
Swedish Air Force
Specifications (AEG G.V)
Data from German Aircraft of the First World War
General characteristics
Crew: 3 or 4
Capacity: 6
Length: 10.8 m (35 ft 5 in)
Wingspan: 27.24 m (89 ft 4 in)
Height: 4.5 m (14 ft 9 in)
Wing area: 89.5 m2 (963 sq ft)
Empty weight: 2,700 kg (5,952 lb)
Gross weight: 4,600 kg (10,141 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Mercedes D.IVa 6-cyl. water-cooled in-line piston
engine, 194 kW (260 hp) each
Performance
Maximum speed: 145 km/h (90 mph, 78 kn)
Ferry range: 1,160 km (720 mi, 630 nmi)
Service ceiling: 6,500 m (21,300 ft)
Rate of climb: 2.78 m/s (547 ft/min)
Time to altitude: 1,000m (3,281ft) in 6min
Armament
Guns: 2 or 3 manually operated 7.92 mm (.312 in) machine-guns
Bombs: 600kg (1,300lb) of bombs
AEG J.I
AEG J.I
Role - Armoured ground attack aircraft
National origin - Germany
Manufacturer - AEG
Primary user - Luftstreitkräfte
Produced - 1917-1918
Number built - 609
Developed from - AEG C.IV
The AEG J.I was a German biplane ground attack aircraft of 1917, an
armored and more powerful version of the AEG C.IV reconnaissance
aircraft.
Design and development
The AEG J.I was a two-seat single-engined tractor biplane with a
conventional landing gear with a tail skid. The aircraft was constructed
using fabric covered steel tubes. The open tandem cockpit for the pilot
and gunner had armour protection . The gunner had three weapons, two
7.92 mm (.312 in) LMG 08/15 machine guns were fitted to the floor of the
cockpit for ground targets. One 7.92 mm (.312 in) Parabellum MG14
machine gun was on a rotable mounting.
Aircraft fitted with ailerons on the lower wing as well as the upper
wing were designated AEG J.Ia.
An improved version of the J.I was developed as the AEG J.II, which had
aerodynamically balanced ailerons with overhanging horn balances,
extended rear fuselage with a larger fin to improve directional
stability and a re-located aileron link strut.
After the war, several J.IIs served the first sustained daily passenger
aeroplane service in the world, between Berlin and Weimar, flown by
Deutsche Luft-Reederei. This route began on 5 February 1919. Early
commercial J.II's retained open cockpits, but modified versions with
enclosed cabins for the two passengers quickly replaced them.
Variants
AEG J.I
An armoured version of the AEG C.IV fitted with downward pointing
machine guns in the floor of the rear cockpit for ground strafing and a
defensive hand-aimed machine-gun in the observers cockpit.
AEG J.Ia
The J.Ia version featured aileron controls on the lower wings, in
addition to the upper.
AEG J.II
Structurally similar to the J.I the J.II introduced ailerons
aerodynamically balanced by large horn extensions at the wing-tips,
increased fin area to improve directional stability and a re-located
aileron link strut.
Operators
1. German Empire
Luftstreitkräfte
Deutsche Luft-Reederei
Specifications (AEG J.I)
Data from German Aircraft of the First World War
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 7.2 m (23 ft 7 in)
Wingspan: 13.46 m (44 ft 2 in)
Height: 3.35 m (11 ft 0 in)
Wing area: 33.18 m2 (357.1 sq ft)
Empty weight: 1,455 kg (3,208 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Benz Bz IV 6-cyl. water-cooled in-line piston engine,
149 kW (200 hp)
Performance
Maximum speed: 150 km/h (93 mph, 81 kn)
Range: 375 km (233 mi, 202 nmi)
Endurance: 2.5hr
Service ceiling: 4,500 m (14,800 ft)
Rate of climb: 2.78 m/s (547 ft/min)
Time to altitude: 1,000m in 6min
Armament
Guns: * up to 6 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) fixed, downwards-firing LMG 08/15
machine guns (standard fit of 2)
1 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) Parabellum MG14 in rear cockpit
AEG N.I
N.I
Role - Night bomber and airliner
National origin - Germany
Manufacturer - AEG (Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft)
Primary user - Luftstreitkräfte (Imperial German Army Air Service)
Number built - 37
The AEG N.I was a German biplane night-bomber which saw limited action
during World War I. A total of 37 were built. Several were used postwar
as airliners.
AEG PE
PE
Role - Ground-attack aircraft
National origin - German Empire
Manufacturer - AEG
First flight - March 1918
Number built - 1
Variants - AEG DJ.I
The AEG PE (Panzer Einsitzer - "armoured one-seater") was a triplane
ground-attack aircraft of World War I, one of the first aircraft
designed from the outset for that role. The Idflieg rejected it on the
grounds that its poor maneuverability made it too vulnerable to enemy
fighters.
Specifications (AEG PE)
Data from German Aircraft of the First World War
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 6.6 m (21 ft 8 in)
Wingspan: 11.2 m (36 ft 9 in)
Empty weight: 1,182 kg (2,606 lb)
Gross weight: 1,412 kg (3,113 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Benz Bz.IIIb V-8 water-cooled piston engine, 143 kW (192
hp)
Performance
Maximum speed: 166 km/h (103 mph, 90 kn)
Rate of climb: 2.87 m/s (565 ft/min)
Time to altitude: 1,000m in 5.8min
Armament
Guns: * 2 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) LMG 08/15 machine guns
Bombs: * 4 x small bombs
AEG R.I
R.I
Role - Bomber
National origin - Germany
Manufacturer - AEG
First flight - 1916
Primary user - Luftstreitkräfte
Number built - 1 completed and seven more partially built
The AEG R.I or Riesenflugzeug 1 (meaning "giant aircraft") was a
four-engined biplane bomber aircraft of World War I manufactured by AEG.
Design and development
The R.I was unusual for a multi-engined aircraft in that rather than
connecting propellers directly to the engines and mounting the engines
in nacelles, the R.I carried all its engines within the fuselage and
turned its propellers via a system of drive shafts. A single prototype
was completed and flew in 1916. Initial flights were quite successful,
the aircraft being considered very manoeuvrable, but on 3 September
1918, a newly assembled propeller, which had not been given sufficient
time for glue to cure, disintegrated. The vibrations resulting from that
failure caused the complex transmissions and shafting connecting all
four engines to both propellers to tear loose, which then cut a center
section strut, resulting in the breakup of the aircraft, killing all
seven crew on board. Of the seven further AEG R.1 aircraft planned or
under production when the war ended, (R.21, R.22, R.59, R.60, R.61,
R.62, R.63 and R.64), only R.21 was finished and R.22 partially
complete.
Specifications
Data from The German Giants
General characteristics
Length: 19.5 m (64 ft 0 in)
Wingspan: 36 m (118 ft 1 in)
Height: 6.35 m (20 ft 10 in)
Wing area: 260 m2 (2,800 sq ft)
Empty weight: 9,000 kg (19,842 lb)
Gross weight: 12,700 kg (28,000 lb)
Fuel capacity: 2,750 litres (605 Imp.Gall.)
Powerplant: 4 × Mercedes D.IVa 6 cyl. water-cooled in-line piston
engines, 194 kW (260 hp) each
Propellers: 2 x 2-bladed, 5.2 m (17 ft 1 in) diameter
Armament
Guns: 5 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) machine guns
Bombs: up to 3,800kg (8,377lb)
AEG Wagner Eule
Eule
National origin - Germany
Manufacturer - Allgemeine Elektrizitäts-Gesellschaft
Designer - Ing Wagner
First flight - 1915
Primary user - Luftstreitkräfte
Number built - 2
The AEG Wagner Eule was a German reconnaissance aircraft built in 1914
by Allgemeine Electricitäts Gesellschaft.
Development
The Eule (English: Owl) was one of a series of aircraft developed by the
German electrical company AEG. Designed by an engineer named Wagner
(first name unknown), the single engine, two seat, mid-wing monoplane
aircraft featured a fuselage of welded steel tubs with fabric covering
and a wing of oak wood with fabric covering. The fuselage measured 4.77
meters with a cross section of 110 cm x 98 cm. The wings were tapered
and featured a scalloped, bat-like trailing edge and a curving leading
edge, with an overall look that was much like that of a bird or bat.
The first prototype was built with a Gnome rotary engine and was used
for taxi tests. It was engulfed in a fire during the test period when a
fire broke out during a repair being made on the aircraft's fuel tank.
The second prototype of the aircraft was equipped with either a rotary
engine or an inline 4-cylinder engine from a Ford Model T. A few short
flights were carried out to test the aerodynamic characteristics of the
prototype before the design was abandoned.
The unusual wing configuration was not featured in AEG's subsequent
aircraft designs, however, the welded metal framed, fabric-covered
fuselage was carried forward into AEG's B, C, and J class aircraft.
Subsequently, the Eule prototype was put on display in the AEG aircraft
assembly hall. Later, after the end of World War I, AEG donated the
prototype to the German Aviation Collection in Berlin. During World War
II, the Eule prototype was moved to German-occupied Poland and stored at
Czarnków, near Poznań. In 1945, the Russians advanced into Poland and
the aircraft, along with many other planes from the German Aviation
Collection, were abandoned by retreating German forces.
The collection was then put into storage by the Polish government in the
Technical Museum and thereafter, in 1963, was shipped to the Narodowe
Museum Lotnictwa (Krakow Aviation Museum), where it was put in storage
for future conservation.
Operators
1. German Empire
- Luftstreitkräfte
Survivors
The only surviving prototype example is displayed in unrestored
condition at the Narodowe Museum Lotnictwa in Krakow, Poland, having
been displayed for the first time to the public in 2003 after years in
storage. It was transferred to Deutsche Luftfahrt Sammlung prior to
World War II. It was moved to Poland to protect it from Allied bombings.
Specifications AEG Wagner Eule
General characteristics
Powerplant: 1 × Gnome Rotary
AEG helicopter
(AEG Helicopter)
AEG helicopter
Role - Tethered observation helicopter
National origin - Germany
Manufacturer - AEG
Status - Concept
Number built - 1
The AEG helicopter was an unusual German aircraft project, intended to
create a portable observation post in the form of a tethered helicopter.
It achieved lift by use of two contra-rotating rotors powered by an
electric motor that was supplied with power from the ground. The device
could be folded for transportation on the back of a truck. An observer's
cabin was suspended underneath the rotor assembly, and could be blown
clear by an explosive charge in case of emergency. Development commenced
in 1933, but it was never put into service by the military.
Also, the system was tested to carry an up to 800 m high vlf-antenna for
communication to submerged submarines. The 3 power feeder cables doubled
as radiators for frequencies from 15 to 60 kHz.
Specifications (AEG helicopter)
Data from
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Max takeoff weight: 1,225 kg (2,701 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × AEG Electric motor, 150 kW (200 hp)
Main rotor diameter: 2 × 7.92 m (26 ft 0 in)
Main rotor area: 98.5 m2 (1,060 sq ft) Contra-rotating
Performance
Service ceiling: 1,000 m (3,300 ft) |