Next is the Albatros C.V, the first of the so-called "second generation" German two-seaters. They had engines of 200 horsepower or more and a fuselage that was carefully designed around the engine to make better airflow and thus a faster plane. For the most part they certainly looked sleeker.
The Albatros was indeed faster than contemporary fighters. It's major drawbacks were that it was heavy and had a mediocre climb rate and a very poor turn rate. Worst of all was the 220-horsepower Mercedes D.IV engine. It was an inline 8-cylinder motor which produced a great amount of torque, but this caused the engine itself to twist under heavy loads and lead to crankshaft failures. They ended up building only 125 production models, plus the three prototypes. The first 75 were built in three batches of 25 each. Improvements led to the last 50 being designated C.V/17, with the ear-type radiators being exchanged for one in the upper wing, rounded lower wings and balanced ailerons and elevators to match the rudder. After that they were superceded by the C.VII.
