Rumpler C.VIII

[IvotB]

Does anyone have information about a Rumpler C.VIII? Because of the beautiful build of a Rumpler C.IV I got interested. There have been 40 Rumplers C.VIII flying with the LVA between 1918 and 1920 and on pictures it sure looks family of the Rumpler C.IV. The only important difference that I discovered was that the C.IV had a Mercedes D.IV engine while the C.VIII had an Argus As III engine, thesame as in the Hannover Cl.II. It seems that the C.VIII is slightly smaller than a C.IV. I didn't find information on the aerodrome forum, but perhaps somebody here has some more information about the differences and if I could try altering a WNW C.IV into a C.VIII.

Ivo

[uncletony]

You might find Windsock Datafile 149 "Rumpler C.IV" at War useful.  From what I could work out, skimming it over breakfast, all the Rumpler C.IV airframe derivatives are more or less identical, excepting equipment. However it does state that the C.VIII reverted to the C.I wing planform, which might throw a wrench into the works as far as an easy conversion goes.

[IvotB]

I haven't found much yet.

This drawing should prove useful for the wing. I have the impression that the nose is shorter, which can be seen here

I'll try to find the Windsock Datafile for reference.

Thanks,
Ivo

[IvotB]

Here is a nice comparison of both fuselages.

I am getting the picture that the differences are bigger than I thought at first. And as an acknowledged rivet counter it is perhaps a project for me to put on hold first. 

regards,
Ivo

[uncletony]

Hmm yes, if the drawing is correct the lower wing is obviously quite different. On the whole though, the conversion doesn't seem that difficult, assuming you can line up the references.

I think you'd certainly want the WS Ru C.IV pub for the detail pics, but you aren't going to find any really hard info on the C.VIII in it.

Anyway, seems like a cool project, something to stew on, gather sources and bits, while you are doing more straightforward builds, perhaps?

[ALBATROS1234]

off the top of my head i believe that the civ and later models were virtually the same craft with different more powerful engines. i got to dig out my documentation to confirm this but thats what i remember.

[IvotB]

Yes, at first it seems that they are that much alike. However at close inspection you find a number of differences. The fin, rudder, horizontal stabiliser and elevator are thesame. The fuselage however is somewhat shorter. The cockpit area is alike and the nose is very different. Then the upper wing is almost thesame, but the lower wing has a completely different shape. And so I could go on. This is an indication that a conversion is a little bit more work than just the nose. I think it can be done, but you have to build a number of things from scratch. The most difficult I expect is to get the fuselage really reflecting the real C.VIII

Some drawings from the Internet give a good impression:

Rumpler C.IV : link

Rumpler C.VIII : link

Fuselage comparison : link

Ivo

[GAJouette]

  Ivo,
Thank you for the excellent links my friend. They will most useful for my WNW Rumplers or my Sierra Rumpler.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

[petrov27]

Sorry to hijack the thread but it seemed sorta applicable - does anyone know what mark of Rumpler the pic below is? I love the markings - did Udet ever fly one of these?

[uncletony]

Sorry to hijack the thread but it seemed sorta applicable - does anyone know what mark of Rumpler the pic below is? I love the markings - did Udet ever fly one of these?

Looks like a DFW C.V to me.

[petrov27]

Sorry to hijack the thread but it seemed sorta applicable - does anyone know what mark of Rumpler the pic below is? I love the markings - did Udet ever fly one of these?

Looks like a DFW C.V to me.

Ahh - oops, the photo was marked as a Rumpler so I made an assumption - good to know what it is though! Hey WNW - please make a DFW CV

[rhallinger]

Yeah . . . that's the ticket, WNW!