Into the War Zone
- open edition print, 13” x 19”

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The Halberstadt CLII was originally designed in mid 1916 as a two-seat escort fighter. Built in relatively large numbers, the CL.II first began to see service on the front lines in the summer of 1917. It was designed as a two-seat fighter escort for reconnaissance aircraft, but by the summer of 1917 Idflieg had come to understand the importance of close-support aircraft operating with infantry attacks. The Halberstadt proved admirably suited to the new role and its duties were accordingly varied. With its distinctive communal cockpit allowed for improved communication between the pilot and gunner, and with the unusual one piece elevator provided exceptional longitudional balance. The Halberstadt CL.II was generally regarded as the best ground-attack aircraft of the war.

This particular machine flew with Schlasta 26b, a Bavarian unit known for its distinctive flame markings.

Details of Rüdenberg's Pfalz DIII
(click on any thumbnail for a detailed image)