The Rumpler C IV was a typical two-seat WW1 fighter/reconnaissance aircraft.

It entered mass production in 1917 and in the reconnaissance role could operate at heights up to 7,000 m for four hours. A camera lens hole is cut in the fuselage under the observer's position.

After the war some Rumpler C machines were converted and used for passenger flights.

Only two of the 2,000 Rumpler aircraft originally built now survive. The Rumpler C IV on display here was manufactured by the Bayerische-Rumpler-Werke AG (Baru) in Augsburg, which delivered its first C IV in July 1917. This aircraft was restored in 1977 by Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm. It is fitted with a Daimler III engine.

Inv.Nr. 1976/818
Technical Data
Manufacturer    Rumpler-Werke GmbH, Berlin-Johannisthal
Wing span    12,66 m
Wing area    35 m²
Empty mass    1150 kg
Take-off mass    1530 kg
Speed    170 km/h
Time to reach 5000m height      38 Min.
Engine    Water-cooled 6-cyl. in-line Daimler D IVa
Power    190 kW

Rumpler C types I made the following chronological classification (not definitive!):

From December 1916 to September 1917:

Ru CIII: 220 hp Benz engine
Ru CIV: 260 Mercedes or 240 Maybach; internal bomb rack, eventually equipped with cameras

From September to December 1917:

Ru CIII: 220 hp Benz engine
Ru CIV: 260 Mercedes; with internal bomb rack, eventually fitted with cameras
Ru CV: 240 Maybach, with internal bomb rack, eventually fitted with cameras (limited production)
Ru CIV (Pfal): Modified CIV by Pfalz. Later designated Pfalz CI

From December 1917 to November 1918:

Ru CIII: 220 hp Benz engine
Ru CIV: 260 Mercedes, with internal bomb rack.
Ru CVII: 240 Maybach, with internal bomb rack.
Rubild: 260 Mercedes, with strip camera, no internal bomb rack
Rubild Mayb: As Rubild but with 240 Maybach
Rubild Bus: As Rubild but with B&S Bus IVa engine (Bayru built)
Ru C VIII: Trainer, 180hp Argus
Ru CIX: As CIV but with increased range (extra side tanks)
Ru CX: Redesigned C with 240 Maybach